Question Author
Yes, I now have a couple of good clues. I have worked out that Percy's departure from Brocton, UK on the 24.2.1918 and the record I have of him being wounded on the 18.3.1918, (barely a month after his arrival in France), that he fought in the German Offensive of 1918. This battle in Serre on the Somme is the only battle in France I can find that was fought around March of 1918. So I am confident he was there, on the Western Front I now just need the information to confirm this for me. Both NZ and Australia fought side by side in this battle, the Anzacs looking out for each other. Percy was back in Brocton on the 15.8.1918 when he went AWOL from the hospital or the barracks and was labeled a 'deserter' after that event.
I have also done quite a bit of research over the weekend on 'shell shock' or 'Neurasthenia' as he was diagnosed with. How these men must have suffered and I am now convinced that Percy being branded a 'Deserter' was due to his mental state after being wounded rather than an attempt to flee the Army. Some of these returned soldiers state of mind left them unable to obey simple orders or even speak, all resulting from their war experiences. Some in the British Army were even shot by their own country because they were seen as cowards. I am now keen to further my investigations and try and clear Percy's name posthumously and rid his record of being a deserter.
Thanks for your interest, I hope this helps in my search for information on our brave WW1 soldier.
PS I am also keen to find if Percy returned to NZ after the war. He is in Australia here, in 1920. I wonder if he got off the ship in Aus on the way back to NZ and decided to stay??