Name
Harry Biggerstaff
10/01/1895
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/09/1915
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
18718
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LOOS MEMORIAL
Panel 41.
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Benskin's Brewery Memorial, Watford,
Sarratt Village Memorial,
Holy Cross Church Memorial, Sarratt,
Not on the Hemel Hempstead memorials,
We are not aware of memorial in Green End
Pre War
Harry Biggerstaff was born on 10 January 1895 in Hemel Hempstead, the son Fred and Fanny Biggerstaff, and and baptised 14 April 1895 at St Lawrence’s, Bovingdon he resided in Sarratt.
His parents had married on 11 October 1890 at St Mary’s, Hemel Hempstead, Herts.
On the 1901 Census, aged 6 he lived in Chandler’s Cross, Watford, Herts, with his parents and four siblings and his father worked as a foreman on a farm.
On the 1911 Census his parents and siblings were living at Rose Hall Farm, Sarratt, Nr Rickmansworth and his father was a Bailiff on a Farm, but Harry was not living with them. It is possible that he went to work in Canada as there is a Harry Biggerstaff of the correct age listed on the Empress of Ireland arriving in Liverpool from Quebec on 3 July 1913.
It is presumed that he worked at the Benskins Brewery in Watford before enlistment as he is named on the company memorial.
His parents both died in the 1950s and are buried at Holy Cross, Sarratt.
Wartime Service
He enlisted at Bedford and served with the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment in France from 17 Aug 1915.
He was killed in action at the Battle of Loos between Vermelles and Cit-St.Elie. His death was presumed on or since 25 Sept 1915. He has no known grave but his name is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France.
Additional Information
His father received a war gratuity of £3 and pay owing of £3 2s 8d.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Malcolm Lennox, Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
