Richard HIGGINSON

Richard HIGGINSON died from the effects of war on the 15th January 1922 aged 29. At rest in St Luke's Churchyard, Hodnet, Shropshire.

Some notes from what remains of his army records.
He joined up aged 22 and 60 days on the 23rd November 1914 at Shrewsbury, Shropshire. He lived with his parents at 16 School Lane, School House, Hodnet and was by occupation and electrician. He was posted to King's Shropshire Light Infantry as private 15942. After he had completed his training he was posted to France on the 8th July 1915. He received a slight gun shot wound to right which was treated at 18 General Hospital, Etables, France. He was later discharged fit for war duty and returned to his regiment. On the 19th November 1915 he and his regiment were sent to Salonica. On the 16th May 1916 he was transferred to 80 Coy, Machine Gun Corps and given a new number 49101. Whilst in Salonica he went sick with Malaria on the 18th August 1916 and was treated at 13 Field Ambulance He was invalided to Malta admitted into St Patrick's Military Hospital, Malta dated not recorded. On the 28th September 1916 he was transferred to Ghain Tuffieha Hospital Camp (convalescent hospital) under canvas which was on the west side of the island at Golden Bay. He was later discharged fit for war service and was returned to his regiment. On the 1st April 1919 he was posted back to England where on the 14th May 1919 he was discharged Army Reserve Class Z. On the 20th August 1920 he was awarded a disability pension number 22725. His disability was Malaria (still suffering from the effects?) and Pulmonary Tuberculosis which was attributed to war service. On the 15th January 1922 he died for the effects of war service.

His brothers Allan, James, and Arthur also fought in the war. Allan and James fell, Arthur survived.

In 1911 Arthur was serving as Trooper 435797 with the 11th Hussars at Netheravon Cavalry School, Wiltshire.