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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Percy George Rigby

In memory of:

Major Percy George Rigby

March 10, 1915
Fleurbaix, France

Military Service

Age:

43

Force:

Army

Unit:

Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment)

Division:

7th Battalion

Honours and Awards:

Twice mentioned in Despatches

Additional 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).

Commemorated on Page 34 of the First World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information

Cemetery:

RUE-DAVID MILITARY CEMETERY
Pas de Calais, France

Grave Reference:

II. D. 49.

Location:

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.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

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  • Burial Report– 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.

    Details

    Burial Report
    Burial Report – 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.
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Daily Colonist of March 12, 1915. Image taken from web address of https://archive.org/stream/dailycolonist57y79uvic#mode/1up

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Daily Colonist of March 12, 1915. Image taken from web address of https://archive.org/stream/dailycolonist57y79uvic#mode/1up
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Daily Colonist of March 12, 1915. Image taken from web address of https://archive.org/stream/dailycolonist57y79uvic#mode/1up

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Daily Colonist of March 12, 1915. Image taken from web address of https://archive.org/stream/dailycolonist57y79uvic#mode/1up
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Daily Colonist of March 16, 1915. Image taken from web address of https://archive.org/stream/dailycolonist57y82uvic#mode/1up

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – 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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