Name
Gabriel Samson Puncher
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/03/1918
30
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
2124909
Canadian Railway Troops
13th Light Railway Operating Company
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BARLIN COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
II. E. 41.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Sawbridgeworth Town Memorial, Great St Mary’s Church Memorial, Sawbridgeworth
Pre War
Son of William and Elizabeth Puncher, of Sawbridgeworth, Herts. born in August 1887. His childhood was spent with his parents in Knight Street.
In the 1901 census, Gabriel was living in Chiswick, and was a ‘Horse Boy’. In 1910, Gabriel emigrated to Canada aboard the RMS Virginian, staying first in Quebec, then in 1911 at Nipissing Ontario, staying with his brother Leonard.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records that he was married to Mrs A. L. Puncher, who was recorded later, after his death, of 30 High Street, Old Town, Eastbourne, Sussex, England.
Wartime Service
Upon the outbreak of war, Gabriel volunteered for service. He was assigned to the 13th Light Railway Operating Company of the Canadian Railway Troops. This was very much a supporting role, taking supplies to the front via a narrow-gauge railway system.
On 21 March 1918, the Germans launched a massive offensive called ‘operation Michael’. This was an attempt to defeat the allies before American troops arrived in numbers. The Germans advanced quickly and in depth, taking many rear units by surprise. Although the offensive was to ultimately prove a costly failure for the Germans, Gabriel Puncher was one of its casualties.
Gabriel Puncher died 28 March 1918. He is buried at Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension, France. He was aged 30.
Additional Information
He was the cousin of Frank Puncher who also died.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Douglas Coe
