Profile image
Military service
Age:
43
Rank:
Major
Force:
Army
Unit/Regiment:
Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment)
Division:
7th Battalion
Death:
March 10, 1915
Fleurbaix, France
Burial/memorial information
Grave reference:
II. D. 49.
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).
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
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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. -
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 -
Newspaper clipping
From the Daily Colonist of March 16, 1915. Image taken from web address of https://archive.org/stream/dailycolonist57y82uvic#mode/1up -
Photo of Percy George Rigby
Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
From a World War One issue of the Fredericton (New Brunswick) Daily Gleaner c.1915. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
Digital gallery of
Major Percy George Rigby
Digital gallery of
Major Percy George Rigby
Digital gallery of
Major Percy George Rigby
Digital gallery of
Major Percy George Rigby
Digital gallery of
Major Percy George Rigby
Digital gallery of
Major Percy George Rigby
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 34 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.
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