Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Charles Percy, known as Percy, was the second of the three sons of Arthur and Mary Helen (née Giddings) Dorman. Born on 3 June 1892 in Uppingham, Rutland, England, he was still resident there with his family in 1901. His father was at that time a stone mason, whereas he engaged in farming in New Zealand. By 1911 the family was residing at Riverview Farm, Fairlie, South Canterbury. Percy may have come to New Zealand before his parents and younger brother (John William Dorman, known as William), who arrived in 1910 per the Tainui; his older brother - James Gilbert Dorman, a chemist’s apprentice - died at age 18 in 1908 at Uppingham. Indeed, P. Dorman was a passenger for Timaru on the mail steamer Athenic which arrived at Hobart on 16 February 1909 en route for Wellington.

Among the latest volunteers for South Canterbury’s quota who were accepted in the week of 21 May 1915 for service at the Front was C. P. Dorman. Prior to enlistment Percy had worked as a teamster (at Hororata in 1914) and then at farming. He was medically examined at Timaru on 1 June 1915. He was 5 feet 5½ inches tall, weighed 133 pounds, and had a chest expansion of 33-36 inches, a fair complexion, grey eyes grey and brown hair. His sight, hearing, colour vision and teeth were all good; his limbs and chest were well formed; and his heart and lungs were normal. He was free from diseases, was vaccinated, and was in good bodily and mental health. Enlisting at Trentham on 12 June 1915, Private Dorman was posted to the Canterbury Mounted Rifles. Residing at the family farm, he was farming for Mr T. Brunton at Lowcliffe, Canterbury. Single and Anglican, he nominated his father as next-of-kin – Mr A. Dorman, Riverview, Fairlie, South Canterbury.

Trooper Charles Percy Dorman, 6th Reinforcements, was admitted to Tauherenikau Military Camp Hospital on 12 July 1915 with measles, and was discharged on 30 July. Trooper C. P. Dorman embarked with the Canterbury Mounted Rifles of the 6th Reinforcements, departing from Wellington for Suez, Egypt on 14 August 1915 per the “Tofua”. Arriving at Mudros on 3 October, he was posted to the 8th Mounted Rifles and was taken on Strength. Percy was one of the last to fall at Gallipoli. During the first evacuation of the Gallipoli Peninsula, on 18 December 1915 while on sentry duty, he was shot by a sniper, the bullet striking him on the left temple, and exiting through the back of his head. He lived only a few minutes and was buried nearby later in the morning. The burial service was conducted by Major Studholme and nearly all the squadron attended. Trooper Dorman was buried in the 7th Field Ambulance Cemetery at Gallipoli, Turkey.

HOW TROOPER P. DORMAN WAS KILLED.

Particulars have been received by Mr and Mrs A. Dorman, of Fairlie, concerning the death of their son, Trooper Percy Dorman, of the 8th South Canterbury Mounted Rifles. It was during the first evacuation of the Peninsula, on December 18, that Troopers Dorman and F. J. Cameron were on a dangerous post a little in front of the trench where their squadron was posted; others were doing sentry duty. In the early morning they were subjected to fire by a sniper, and Trooper Dorman had just relieved Trooper Cameron about 10 minutes when the sniper contrived to hit him, the bullet striking him on the left temple and coming out at the back of his head. He fell back upon Cameron, who was sitting just behind him. The doctor was instantly summoned, but Trooper Dorman lived only a few minutes, being unconscious to the end. He was buried near by later on in the morning, Major Studholme reading the burial service, and nearly all the squadron was there, for he was very popular among them. Afterwards a wooden cross was made, and Sergeant Gray inscribed it: “In memory of Trooper C. P. Dorman, killed in action December 18, 1915, R.I.P.” Sergeant Ken Tennent (Cattle Valley) was in charge of a patrol which was operating between the New Zealand and Turkish trenches, and Dorman was the sentry who challenged them as they passed. Sergeant Tennent was one of the rearguard in the evacuation, and one of the last to leave Gallipoli. He says that it was with heavy hearts they left it. [Press, 24 February 1916; Otago Daily Times, 26 February 1916; Otago Witness, 1 March 1916].

Along with a photo of Trooper C. P. Dorman, killed, the Otago Witness of 9 February 1916 printed the following biographical sketch - “Trooper C. P. Dorman, killed in action on December 18, was the eldest surviving son of Mr and Mrs A. Dorman, Fairlie, and left with the Sixth Reinforcements. He was born in Uppingham, Rutland, and was in his 24th year. He was an active member of the Fairlie Orchestral Society, and a member of the Presbyterian Church Choir. He was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him.” Thus, Percy’s war experience was quite short-lived and relatively uneventful, until that fateful day. He enlisted on 12 June 1915 at Trentham, was admitted to Camp Hospital on 12 July 1915, embarked on 14 August 1915, and was tragically killed in action at the Dardanelles on 18 December 1915 after only two months at the Front.

His family was active in patriotic activities in the Fairlie area right from the onset of war until 1920 - Mrs Dorman donated clothing and material in October 1914 and old linen in August 1916; his brother John gave 10 shillings in August 1915; his father Arthur was a member of the Fairlie Social and Reception Committee, formed in connection with departing and returning soldiers. Only a few weeks before his son’s death he was carting decorations for the hall for a reception for returned men. At the March 1916 meeting of the Mackenzie County Council, the chairman expressed his regret that at the previous meeting he had omitted to refer to the death at the Front, of Trooper Dorman, son of Mr Dorman, Fairlie, moving that the Council express their sincere sympathy with Mr Dorman, in his loss. The motion was carried in silence, all members standing.

On Sunday, 8 August 1915, at the Fairlie Presbyterian Church, special intercessory services were held. A Roll of Honour was unveiled and the 31 names on it were read out, that of Charles Percy being among them. On 18 December 1916, the Dorman family remembered their dear son – “He died for his King and Country.” A memorial window to Trooper C. P. Dorman, presented by his parents, was unveiled and dedicated in St Stephen’s Church, Fairlie, during a commemoration service on Anzac Day, 1917. In the annual report of the parish in June 1917, this beautiful gift was described as a ‘handsome stained glass window’. It depicts The Good Shepherd and was produced in New Zealand. (A photo of the memorial window can be found at www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nzlscant.)

P. Dorman is honoured on the Mackenzie District War Memorial at Fairlie. The original Mackenzie County War Memorial was unveiled on 15 December 1929. It has since been rebuilt. The parade, including the Timaru Municipal Band, 49 Returned Soldiers, the Executive Committee of the War Memorial, the Mackenzie Pipe Band, and School children from Mackenzie County Schools, formed up at the Post Office and marched to the site of the memorial. After the singing of the National Anthem, and a verse of the Canadian Anthem, the Chairman addressed the gathering, expressing gratification at the fact that at long last they were met to unveil and dedicate the memorial to the soldiers from the Mackenzie County who fell in the Great War. The design was unique in South Canterbury. It was not a cenotaph, or solely a monument of those buried elsewhere. It expressed more than that. It was a catafalque, a cairn upon which symbolically the remains of the Unknown Warrior were elevated, and were contained in the representation of a casket at the top of the structure. The base was composed of glacial boulders, and the shaft of limestone blocks. The whole erection was therefore constructed of indigenous stone. Thus, symbolically the Warrior rested on his native soil. The wreath above the tablet, composed of laurel leaves carved in stone symbolised victory. The tablet on which the names were inscribed is of marble. In a lengthy address, Father Barra, who had himself served as a chaplain, outlined clearly the campaigns throughout which New Zealanders had served, fought and died. They had “stood up in their splendid manhood, enthusiastically responding from the first to the call of their country.” He paid sensitive and abundant tribute to all involved in any role in the conflicts. An avenue of oak trees commemorating Fairlie’s fallen soldiers lines its main street.

Percy's brother, John William Dorman, was called up for war service in 1917, his name drawn in the second Military Service Ballot on 14 December 1916, but appealed as he was the only surviving son, following Percy’s death at Gallipoli and that of his older brother at home in England. His case was adjourned provided he continued to work on his father’s farm and reported to the Defence authorities each month. In September his appeal was adjourned sine die.

Percy appeared to have left no Will, but his estate was such as to prompt his father to apply to administer; and his father Arthur was duly granted power and authority to do so. The associated legal documents include a certificate of death. His medals - 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal, memorial plaque and memorial scroll were sent to his father from 1921 to 1923. Percy is well remembered by family and friends in two hemispheres - on the Timaru War Memorial Wall; Fairlie Presbyterian Church; St Stephen’s Anglican Church, Fairlie, Memorial; his parents’ headstone in the Fairlie Cemetery; the Uppingham, Rutland War Memorial; and St Peter and St Paul’s Churchyard, Uppingham.

Mrs Dorman died suddenly on 2 June 1923. On their arrival from the Old Country, Mr and Mrs Dorman had quickly formed friendships, and as they were hospitably inclined, their home soon became a favourite place to visit. Mrs Dorman possessed a particularly kindly nature. She took a keen interest in all charitable objects, and during the war her home was always open to soldiers, both leaving and returning. “The best of neighbours and a real friend to all who needed her, summed up the estimation in which she was held throughout the district.” Mr Arthur Dorman died at his residence on 26 December 1934 and was buried with his wife. Their son, Charles Percy, is remembered on their headstone in the Fairlie Cemetery. At its January 1935 meeting, the Mackenzie County Council passed a motion of sympathy with the relatives of Mr A. Dorman. Mr Dorman had had a long farming career in the district and he had always taken a keen interest in agricultural matters, At one time, he was president of the Mackenzie A. and P. Society. Some English cousins of Percy also served in World War One. Arthur Edward Dorman, who served with the Australian Army, was killed at the Somme in 1916. William James Dorman, who served with the British Forces, was killed in action in France in 1916. Frederick Charles Dorman, a brother of William James, enlisted but was discharged (“Unlikely to become an efficient soldier”).

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [22 December 2013]; CWGC [31 January 2014]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK 18805 W5537 0034834) [05 February 2014]; Fairlie Cemetery headstone transcription (SC NZSG microfiche); Temuka Leader, 18 February 1909, Timaru Herald, 23 October 1914, 22 May 1915, 6 August 1915, 10 August 1915, 2 November 1915, 19 & 29 January 1916, 4 March 1916, 7 August 1916, 15 & 18 December 1916, 6 February 1917, 21 April 1917 [x 2], 27 April 1917, 19 June 1917, 5 September 1917, 4, 7 & 9 June 1923, 30 March 1929, 16 December 1929, 27 December 1934, 5 & 26 January 1935, Press, 24 February 1916, Otago Daily Times, 26 February 1916, Otago Witness, 1 March 1916 (Papers Past) [01 February 2014; 06 June 2014; 06 August 2015; 26 November 2020; 10 March 2022; 27 April 2025]; 1901 England Census (ancestry.com.au) [01 February 2014]; Probate file - Administration (Archives New Zealand, Probate Records, 1848-1991, index and images, FamilySearch) [05 June 2014]; photograph of The Good Shepherd window in St Stephen's Church, Fairlie (www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nzlscant) [06 June 2014]; “Rutland and the Great War/Rutland Remembers” (www.rutlandremembers.org/fallen) [06 June 2014]; Leicestershire War Memorials (www.leicestershirewarmemorials.co.uk) [06 August 2015]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au)

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• DORMAN Charles Percy - newspaper clippings (pdf, 127.7 KB updated 02-May-2025)
• DORMAN Charles Percy - photos (pdf, 326.8 KB updated 02-May-2025)

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

TS