Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Document: | New Zealand WW1 Masonic List | N.Z. | |
Awards & Titles: | |||
Early Life :
Percy appeared pre-War in the Herts & Cambs Reporter & Royston Crow on 17th July, 1908 regarding a rescue on the River Thames:"At the inquest on Harold Stevens, who was drowned as the result of a canoe accident off Tagg's Island, the coroner warmly commended Mr. Percy Emms, of Kinston, for his plucky rescue of Mrs Brown, Steven's companion."
Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: New Zealand Expeditionary Force |
| Action : War Survivor |
Although many perished in times of national conflict and in the service of their country, many more survived including those interned as Prisoners of War. Stories of those who did survive are included as part of this site, especially those with high gallantry awards, those included against an external rolls of honour and those who had a distinguished career in wartime and military leaderhip.
Detail :
Percy Charles Emms, British Section, New Zealand Expeditionary Force.
He was for some time the Superintendent of Kingston Baths from as early as 1911 to at least 1945.
Noting that our introduction to Percy was a rescue, it seems that Percy was born to be around to save a day. He appeared in the Illustrated Police News - 7th August 1924 -
"At Kingston Regatta a woman dropped her bracelet into the river. Next day Mr. Percy C. Emms, superintendent at Kingston Corporation Baths, dived into 14 ft. of water, found the bracelet embedded in mud..."
It is heartwarming to know that in his later life he is recorded again in the Press for another instance of bravery. This time he is seen in the Surrey Advertiser 20th October, 1945:
"RESCUE IN BATHS - SUPERINTENDENT SAVES MAN FROM DROWNING Tragedy at Kingston Baths was averted by Mr. Percy. C. ("Danny") Emms, the superintendent, on Monday. To him an R.A.F. man, named Ivers, who collapsed with an attack of cramp in eight feet of water, owes his life. Ivers was a member of a party of Service men from the Richmond Park rehabilitation camp who went to the baths for a swim. When the allotted time was up, the party retired to the dressing rooms, unknowingly leaving Ivers on the floor of the swimming bath. Mr. Emms happened to walk through the baths hall, when he saw Ivers unconcious at the bottom of the deep end. Although fully dressed, Mr. Emms at once dived in, at the same time shouting for assistance. With the aid of a soldier he managed to get Ivers-a heavily-built man- out of the water and applied artificial respiration. Other aid arrived, and Ivers, after recovering consciousness was taken to hospital at the camp. The popular chief at Kingston Baths for many years, Mr Emms is the holder of several life-saving awards."
For some time he was the President of the National Association of Bath Superintendents.
Probate EMMS, Percy Charles of 36 Haylett Gdns Anglesea Rd Kingston upon Thames Sy died 1 August 1974 Administration with Will London 27 August £1695
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Tiffinian No. 3530 E.C. | Surrey |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
23rd November 1916 | 24th January 1917 | 28th February 1917 |
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley