Percy Merritt was born on 20 March 1885, the son of Charles Merritt, of 1, Hazelbrook, Warsash, Southampton; husband of Sybil Lucy Kimish (formerly Merritt), of Bridge St., Titchfield, Fareham.  It appears that when he joined the Royal Navy he misrepresented his age in order to appear two years older, as all RN records state his date of birth as 20 March 1883.

He died in E3 on 18 October 1914 when HMS E3 was torpedoed, but was officially declared dead on 21 October.

His two brothers Walter and Wilfred were also killed in action; Walter was an AB serving in HMS GOOD HOPE at the Battle of Coronel and Wilfred in HMS INVINCIBLE at the Battle of Jutland.