Current Information:

Age-23

79A, Marmadon Road, Plumstead

Essex Farm Cemetery, Belgium

In mid-November, 1916, 16th Rifle Brigade of 117 Brigade, 39th Division moved north from the Somme battlefield to the Ypres salient. On 21st December they moved into the front line in the Canal Bank sector and remained there until relieved on Christmas Day. During this time four patrols were sent out each night to reconnoitre the German wire and trenches. The Battalion Diary recorded that four men were killed on 23rd December but it does not say if these deaths were among those out on patrol or as a result of other means such as shelling or sniper fire. Percival Rigby was one of those killed.