JAMES, Percy Harris
Born 1897; died 30 November 1918; buried 2 December 1918; age 21
Percy JAMES, known within his family as ‘Duck’, was born at Auckland in 1897. He was one of eight or nine children of Jane (nee GIVEN) and William James. His mother was born in Ireland and emigrated with her parents and siblings to New Zealand in 1874, arriving in Auckland on the ship Oxford on 9 June. His father, William George, had been born in Wales.
Jane and William married on 26 January 1882 in St Peter’s Church, Onehunga. William’s occupation was listed as barman. Over the years his occupation was recorded as mariner, hotelier and armed constabulary. His death certificate recorded him as a retired chef.
Their son Percy was a chemist and served on the World War 1 hospital ship Maheno. At the time of his death he was not married.
He died on 30 November 1918 at the home of his sister (Mary Elizabeth Ada) and his brother-in-law (Charles William MARTIN) in Mana Road, Vogeltown, Wellington. His brother-in-law had died from influenza 12 days earlier and his grave is near that of Percy, who was buried on 2 December 1918.
It must have been a very sad time for the family and it would seem he was especially missed by his mother who, although she died in Auckland on 31 October 1940, is buried with Percy. Also buried in the grave is Percy’s sister Alice Maude.
The headstone reads:
My Dear Son
Percy Harris James “Duck”
Late of Auckland
Who departed this life
November 30 1918 at Brooklyn, Wellington
During the epidemic
Aged 21½ years
I have lost but heaven has gained
Grave Information:
Section: CH ENG2
Plot: 162 E
Submitted by Mary Simpson, grand-niece of the above
[email protected]
Born 1897; died 30 November 1918; buried 2 December 1918; age 21
Percy JAMES, known within his family as ‘Duck’, was born at Auckland in 1897. He was one of eight or nine children of Jane (nee GIVEN) and William James. His mother was born in Ireland and emigrated with her parents and siblings to New Zealand in 1874, arriving in Auckland on the ship Oxford on 9 June. His father, William George, had been born in Wales.
Jane and William married on 26 January 1882 in St Peter’s Church, Onehunga. William’s occupation was listed as barman. Over the years his occupation was recorded as mariner, hotelier and armed constabulary. His death certificate recorded him as a retired chef.
Their son Percy was a chemist and served on the World War 1 hospital ship Maheno. At the time of his death he was not married.
He died on 30 November 1918 at the home of his sister (Mary Elizabeth Ada) and his brother-in-law (Charles William MARTIN) in Mana Road, Vogeltown, Wellington. His brother-in-law had died from influenza 12 days earlier and his grave is near that of Percy, who was buried on 2 December 1918.
It must have been a very sad time for the family and it would seem he was especially missed by his mother who, although she died in Auckland on 31 October 1940, is buried with Percy. Also buried in the grave is Percy’s sister Alice Maude.
The headstone reads:
My Dear Son
Percy Harris James “Duck”
Late of Auckland
Who departed this life
November 30 1918 at Brooklyn, Wellington
During the epidemic
Aged 21½ years
I have lost but heaven has gained
Grave Information:
Section: CH ENG2
Plot: 162 E
Submitted by Mary Simpson, grand-niece of the above
[email protected]
