Espiner, L-Corp Percy Gerald (WWI 62037)

This memorial to L-Corp Percy Gerald Espiner (WWI 62037) Memorial is located in the Manaia Cemetery. 

Above the inscription sits a sheathed sword, belt and hangers at the apex of memorial and beneath there is the remnant of a small inset bronze plaque which has been roughly removed.

Espiner has no known grave but is recorded on the Grevillers Memorial, France.

Although this memorial is in Manaia where his parents lived, Percy Gerald Espiner of Rowan is named only on the Eltham War Memorial.

Inscription:

In Loving Memory of

L-Corp Percy Gerald Espiner

31^st Reinforcements,
N.Z.R.B.

Killed in Action in France, 12^thSept 1918

Aged 22 Years and 6 Months

For His Country’s Sake

___

Not Dead to us We loved Him So

Not Lost but Gone Before

He Lives with Us in Memory Still

And Will Forevermore

____

In a Distant Land He Lies

At Rest in A Soldier’s Grave

His Battle Fought, His Name Enrolled

On the Scroll of the Deathless Brave

A Lonely Grave in a Far-off Land

A Grave We May Never See,

But While Life and Memory Last

We Will Remember Thee.

____

Erected by His Loving Mother, Brothers & Sisters

Charles Espiner

Born 10^th Nov 1892, Died 10^th Nov 1892

Gordon Ronald

Born 27^th June 1896, Died 16^th Feb 1900

Norman Bruce

Born 27^th June 1902, Died 9^th Sept 1902

Sleeping With the Lord