Percy James Pinnock, was one of the first Luton-born casualties of the war to be reported missing in the pages of the Luton News. He was serving on HMS Amphion, the first Royal Navy ship to be sunk in the conflict. Launched in December 1911, the cruiser hit a mine on August 6th while defending the eastern approaches of the English Channel.

Percy was born on the Old Bedford Road in June 1894, and was ranked as a stoker second-class.

Percy spent four years in the Navy, and was part of HMS Amphion's crew belonging to Devonport Division. Previously he had been a signalman on HMS Berwick and had also served on HMS Irresistible, HMS Ganges and HMS Pembroke. Just a month earlier he had returned to Luton for the first time in 18 months to visit his step-father and mother, Mr and Mrs Chambers at their home at 29 Boyle Street.