Espiner, Percy Gerald (1918)

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

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Not Dead to us We loved Him So / Not Lost but Gone Before / He Lives with Us in Memory Still / And Will Forevermore

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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.

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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