Percival was born in Brough Sowerby, near Kirkby Stephen, Westmorland, England, and was brought up on his uncle's farm after the death of his mother when he was very young.

[1] Percival was ordained deacon in 1860 and was offered a position as a master at Rugby School by the headmaster, Frederick Temple.

He attacked "idleness" and "loafing" and, concerned about "impurity", insisted that boys' football shorts should be worn below the knee and secured with elastic.

Whilst Queen Victoria was opposed to the idea, since Percival was known to favour the disestablishment of the Church in Wales, Rosebery prevailed.

[2] He was consecrated into bishop's orders on Lady Day (25 March), by Edward White Benson, Archbishop of Canterbury, at Westminster Abbey;[3] and he was enthroned at Hereford Cathedral on 25 April.

[4] Percival's time in Hereford was affected by the death of his wife in 1896, and he had difficulties in administering the large rural diocese where his radical political views were often unpopular.

However, the German attack on Belgium and the ‘Belgian atrocities’ made him commit fully to supporting the British war effort.

He wrote, seeking prayers throughout the diocese, ".... for the victory of our sailors and soldiers who are so bravely giving their lives in this terrible conflict, to the cause of righteousness and freedom, and to win for the various nations of Europe in the years to come, the blessings of enduring peace and Christian brotherhood.

A brother officer wrote: "He and I were in the Egyptian Army together, and I learnt out there to admire his wonderful energy and great strength of character.

I shall never forget the day he rode quietly into Wau, in the Bahr-el-Ghezal, on the date he said he would arrive, after a most extraordinary journey, in which his great qualities had had full play.

A letter from a private in his company sums up the general opinion of this gallant officer: "It is said that there are men who fear not death on the battlefield.