Open/Close Toolbox
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 New Zealand License
Format: Person
Linked To
CollectionPersonImage
Copyright
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 New Zealand LicenseThis licence lets you remix, tweak, and build upon our work noncommercially and although your new works must also acknowledge us and be noncommercial, you do not have to license the derivative works on the same terms.
- People
- Places
- Themes
- Surprise Me!
Menu
- People
- Places
- Themes
- Surprise Me!
Private Percy Buckner
Description
TitlePercy BucknerSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionPercy was born at Ashburton on 14 June 1895, son of Thomas and Emily Henrietta Buckner. His brother, William Thomas Buckner (40183), also served in World War 1 dying in October 1918. He was educated at the Harewood School. He was employed in the Post and Telegraph Department for eight years, and then took up farming with his parents. Percy was working for his father farming on Selwyn Road, Rolleston. He had previous military experience with the Post and Telegraph Corp in Christchurch. He was 5ft 5in tall with fair complexion, blue eyes and dark brown hair.
Percy enlisted on 10 July 1917 and was assigned to D Company, 32nd Reinforcements, Otago Infantry Regiment. During training at Trentham he was fined two days' pay for overstaying his leave. He embarked with them from Wellington 22 November, arriving in Liverpool on 7 January 1918. He marched into Sling Camp on 8th January and three months later left for France on 20 March being attached to the strength at Etaples on 24th. Percy marched out to Segregation Camp on 26 March and back to Etaples Depot on 2 June 1918. In an effort to protect trained troops from infection the Segregation camp was an area where newly arrived soldiers were quarantined until ruled clear of communicable diseases. A few days later on 6th June 1918 he was posted to No.4 Company, 1st Battalion Otago Regiment in the field. Given food in the field it was not surprising that he was sent to hospital sick with diarrhea on 23 July and arrived at 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital at Doulles on 26 July, re-joining his unit on 4 August 1918. He was killed in action on 25 August during the attack on Bapaume. He was buried close to where he fell described as “Biefvillers on edge of and towards Bapaume” After the war his body was gathered in and he now lies in Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension. In New Zealand Percy is remembered on the Springston War Memorial and the Harewood School Memorial.
First NamePercyLast NameBucknerFamilySingleSon of Thomas and Emily Henrietta Buckner, Berry St., St. Albans, Christchurch, New Zealand.Date of Birth14 June 1895Place of BirthAshburtonDate of Death25 August 1918Place of DeathBaoaume, France Cause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death23
Percy enlisted on 10 July 1917 and was assigned to D Company, 32nd Reinforcements, Otago Infantry Regiment. During training at Trentham he was fined two days' pay for overstaying his leave. He embarked with them from Wellington 22 November, arriving in Liverpool on 7 January 1918. He marched into Sling Camp on 8th January and three months later left for France on 20 March being attached to the strength at Etaples on 24th. Percy marched out to Segregation Camp on 26 March and back to Etaples Depot on 2 June 1918. In an effort to protect trained troops from infection the Segregation camp was an area where newly arrived soldiers were quarantined until ruled clear of communicable diseases. A few days later on 6th June 1918 he was posted to No.4 Company, 1st Battalion Otago Regiment in the field. Given food in the field it was not surprising that he was sent to hospital sick with diarrhea on 23 July and arrived at 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital at Doulles on 26 July, re-joining his unit on 4 August 1918. He was killed in action on 25 August during the attack on Bapaume. He was buried close to where he fell described as “Biefvillers on edge of and towards Bapaume” After the war his body was gathered in and he now lies in Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension. In New Zealand Percy is remembered on the Springston War Memorial and the Harewood School Memorial.
First NamePercyLast NameBucknerFamilySingleSon of Thomas and Emily Henrietta Buckner, Berry St., St. Albans, Christchurch, New Zealand.Date of Birth14 June 1895Place of BirthAshburtonDate of Death25 August 1918Place of DeathBaoaume, France Cause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death23
Connections
CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OnePersonRifleman William Thomas BucknerImageSpringston War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph
Military Service
Memorial or CemeteryAchiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery ExtensionHarewood School MemorialSpringston War Memorial Occupation before EnlistingFarmer Regiment or ServiceOtago Infantry RegimentEnlistment Details10th July 1917Service Number62917Embarkation22nd November 1917Place of EmbarkationWellingtonCountryNew Zealand
Attribution
Researched ByL. M. Seaton
Private Percy Buckner. Selwyn Stories, accessed 06/06/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/343