Name
Archibald Joseph Higgins
8/11/1895
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
22/08/1918
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
351120
London Regiment *1
7th (City of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
MEAULTE MILITARY CEMETERY
E3
France
Headstone Inscription
He has no family inscription on his Headstone.
UK & Other Memorials
Goff's Oak Memorial, Cheshunt Town Memorial, Christ Church (formerly Holy Trinity Church) Memorial, Waltham Cross
Pre War
Archibald Joseph Higgins was born in Leicester, Leicestershire, on 8th November 1895, son of Charles Higgins a, Seed Merchant and Sarah Jane Higgins (nee Grant). One of six children although one died in infancy.
Charles Higgins married Sarah Jane Grant at the Parish Church, Oadby, Leicestershire on the 6th October 1891.
1901 Census records Archibald aged 5, living with his parents, sister Maggie (8), brothers, Herbert (7), George (2 months) at 56 Earl Howe Street, Leicester, Leicestershire.
The family later move to Turners Hill, Cheshunt, Herts.
1911 Census records Archibald aged 15, employed as a Servant for the Rev. Sidney Bolter and his family at The Rectory, Poulshot, Devizes, Wiltshire. His parents, and his sister Maggie (18), brothers George (10) and Frederick (6) are living at 75 Turners Hill, Cheshunt, Herts.
In August 1915 his father Charles Higgins died at St Albans, Herts, aged 58.
Wartime Service
Archibald travelled to Sun Street, Finsbury Square, City of London, the H.Q. of the 7th (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment, in December 1914, to enlist, issued with the service number 3303 (later 351120). On completion of his training Archibald arrived in France on 18th August 1915, seeing action on the Western Front. We believe he was transferred to the 19th Battalion in March 1918.
He was Killed in Action on the 22nd August 1918, he is buried in the CWGC Meaulte Military Cemetery, France.
Additional Information
His effects of £13-15s-5d, pay owing and his war gratuity of £17, went to his mother Sarah Jane Higgins.
In June 1997 Broxbourne Borough Council received a suggestion from the Chairman of Goffs Oak Community Association to name roads to commemorate the men who lost their lives in the two world wars that are displayed on the Goffs Oak War Memorial. It was decided that these names should be used for the large development in Hammond Street Road This soldier was one of them and Higgins Road is named in memory of him.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Brian Lodge
