Percy John Garthwaite was born about 1884. He was the son of Chapman and Catherine Garthwaite who were living in Brafferton in 1891 but by 1911 were living in Chapel Square, Aycliffe.

In the 1911 census Percy was married to Sarah Elizabeth and was living at 31, Edward Street, Spennymoor. He was a pulleyman working for N.E.R.

Percy's younger brother Harry also served in WW1.