Henry Puckle (buried 1916)

Worthing Gazette 17 May 1916 "The Death of Colonel H G Puckle" His Army Career A Reminiscence of the Wreck of the "Lalla Rookh" We made brief reference in our last issue of the death of Colonel Henry Glover Puckle, who passed away at his residence "Kinara" Manor Road in his 84th year. The funeral took place on Wednesday, the interment being at Heene Cemetery and a large number of his friends gathered at his graveside in token of their regard and remembrance of one who was held in high esteem and respect. Colonel Puckle had a long career in the service of the Crown and much of his time was spent in India. He was a native of the town and first saw the light on 23rd May 1833 and was the son of Mr Richard Puckle of Broadwater. He was educated at Tonbridge School and trained for the Army at the Honourable East India Company, a military college at Addiscombe. He received his commission as Ensign in Her Majesty's Indian Army in December 1852, and served for thirty- five years in India till he retired in 1887. His Military experiences were varied for at the outbreak of the Crimean War he volunteered for active service, and was three times requested to hold himself in readiness for the front but was finally sent to India instead. His first voyage to the east was in a sailing ship via the Cape of Good Hope, the time taken being three months, this of course being before the days of the Suez Canal and the steamship service. During the Indian Mutiny he served as an engineer in the Public Works department, bridge building and the construction of railways forming the main part of his work. His regimental duties took him to many parts of India and Burma so that he was thoroughly conversant with the language, literature and the characteristics of the country, of which he made a study. Colonel Puckle was three times married. His first wife, who was also his cousin was the daughter of the Rev. Benjamin Puckle, Rector of Grafham, Huntingdonshire but she died a few years later in India. When a Major at Camptee, he married in 1865 Cecilia Emily daughter of Lt. Col. A Tod (Madras Army). Her death occurred at Broadwater in 1882. Nine years later after he had left the service, he married Elinor Tempest, daughter of Maj. Gen. G A Renny VC Royal Artillery. Of his children, all five of his sons entered the Army, and two served throughout the South African War and one, Captain T N Puckle of the Leicestershire Regiment fell in action during the first month of the present war in the Cameroon fighting in German West Africa. Colonel Puckle's long association with the town made him decide to settle in the place where he had spent some of his early schooldays and early periods of his life and he used to tell of many interesting events of those days connected with the town and district. At the time of the wreck of the "Lalla Rookh" off the town, he was amongst those who helped to launch the boat which brought back the survivors. Latterly his great interest was in the work of the Tabernacle of which church he became a member. Since the outbreak of the war, one of his chief thoughts was in the welfare of the troops quartered in the town for whom he counted it a privilege to do all he could. His connection with the Coalportage Association locally covered a period of about ten years and his interest in this as also in the Mission to Railwaymen was great.