Katie was happily married to husband Percy Morter when he was recruited by music hall star, Vesta Tilley. In 1915 he was posted to France with the 9th Battalion of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. It would be six months before Percy got leave at Christmas - and had only six days with Katie. Percy returned to the Western Front, and Katie found out she was pregnant. In July 1916, not long before the baby was due, Katie received a letter from Percy's Sergeant, regretfully informing her that Percy had been killed in action at the Somme. Katie lost a husband who never got the chance to meet his son.
