Military service
Burial/memorial information
Son of Maj. Gen. Christopher Palmer and Matilda Rigby of London, England.
Twice Mentioned in Despatches (1900 and 1902).
Previously served in the 45th Regiment, 1st Battalion, Sherwood Foresters from 1890 to 1911. Brevet Major in 1900. Commanded 4th King's African Rifles from 1905 to 1907). Also served in the Royal Niger Company's Expedition (1896), the West African Campaign (1896-1897), the South African Campaign (1899-1902), and the East African Expedition (1906).
Digital gallery of Major Percy George Rigby
Digital gallery of
Major Percy George Rigby
Major Percy Rigby was one of only two Officers (and the only Major) killed in action when the CEF first entered the trenches during the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in March of 1915. Research on this relatively unknown battle for the Canadians tells us that Major Rigby was initially buried at Chateau La Boutillere and later exhumed and buried in the Rue-David Military Cemetery. The Concentration of Graves Burial Return shown in the image records that he was exhumed from Grave 10 of the Abbey Wall Cemetery (under north wall of the ruined chateau) located at Map Coordinates 36.N5.c.30.95.
Digital gallery of
Major Percy George Rigby
From the Daily Colonist of March 12, 1915. Image taken from web address of https://archive.org/stream/dailycolonist57y79uvic#mode/1up
Digital gallery of
Major Percy George Rigby
From the Daily Colonist of March 12, 1915. Image taken from web address of https://archive.org/stream/dailycolonist57y79uvic#mode/1up
Digital gallery of
Major Percy George Rigby
From the Daily Colonist of March 16, 1915. Image taken from web address of https://archive.org/stream/dailycolonist57y82uvic#mode/1up
Digital gallery of
Major Percy George Rigby
Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
Digital gallery of
Major Percy George Rigby
From a World War One issue of the Fredericton (New Brunswick) Daily Gleaner c.1915. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
Image gallery
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Major Percy Rigby was one of only two Officers (and the only Major) killed in action when the CEF first entered the trenches during the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in March of 1915. Research on this relatively unknown battle for the Canadians tells us that Major Rigby was initially buried at Chateau La Boutillere and later exhumed and buried in the Rue-David Military Cemetery. The Concentration of Graves Burial Return shown in the image records that he was exhumed from Grave 10 of the Abbey Wall Cemetery (under north wall of the ruined chateau) located at Map Coordinates 36.N5.c.30.95.
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From the Daily Colonist of March 12, 1915. Image taken from web address of https://archive.org/stream/dailycolonist57y79uvic#mode/1up
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From the Daily Colonist of March 12, 1915. Image taken from web address of https://archive.org/stream/dailycolonist57y79uvic#mode/1up
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From the Daily Colonist of March 16, 1915. Image taken from web address of https://archive.org/stream/dailycolonist57y82uvic#mode/1up
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Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
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From a World War One issue of the Fredericton (New Brunswick) Daily Gleaner c.1915. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 34 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.
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RUE-DAVID MILITARY CEMETERY Pas de Calais, France
Fleurbaix is a village about 5 kilometres south-west of Armentieres. RUE-DAVID MILITARY CEMETERY lies to the south-east of the village. Leave Fleurbaix heading towards Armentieres, 300 metres from the centre of Fleurbaix turn right towards Bois Grenier. After a further 1 kilometre turn right again, follow the road round a sharp left hand bend, and the Cemetery is approximately 500 metres further on.
For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
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