3416, Private, Robert Gadd BIGGS
Aged 29
Robert Gadd BIGGS was born in Balsham (Linton Q3-1889 3B:514) son of John and Sarah BIGGS (née HALL). Baptised in Balsham on 11th August 1889.
1891...Aged 1, he was at High Street, Balsham with his father John BIGGS [30] farm labourer; his mother [30] born Waterbeach; brother Arthur [8]; sisters Rosa [6] and Helen [4]. All except his mother were born in Balsham 1901 census...Aged 11, he was at Farm House, High Street, Balsham with his parents; brother Owen [9]; sisters Rebecca [6], Margaret [4] and Annie [2]. All except his mother were born in Balsham. 1911 census...Aged 21, he was in the Army, in the 19th Hussars, at Wellington Lines, Aldershot. His parents, brothers Owen and Willie [9]; sisters Annie and Grace [7] were at Lower Farm, Balsham. He married Kathleen HOBBS (Q3-1915 Lewisham 1D:3157) (b.28-11-1889). In 1918 she was at 42 Belmont Hill, Lee, London SE,later marrying ? GARNER (this marriage registration not found) His younger brother Owen was killed serving in France in the Royal Garrison Artillery in 1915 see here |
He enlisted in Bury St. Edmunds, when resident in London. The war diary for the 8th October 1918 is quite detailed. They were in the region of Villeret and set out at 4:30 am and headed past the canal at Riqueval, then on to Nauroy. Overlooking Poncheau and Geneve they saw the enemy were clear of the place and pressed on. They reached the railway siding 1 kilometre SW of Premont. Fighting was experienced around mid-day near Brancourt. They pressed and but as darkness came they drew back to Brancourt. Shelling was added to by attacks from hostile aircraft Casualties for the day 3 officer killed, 2 missing and wounded, 6 wounded; O.R. 18 killed, 36 wounded, 3 missing. Horse casualties 113. The diary is too detailed for transcription here, but it does show the far more mobile aspect of the war in it's last stages, and the figures above to draw attention to other losses, ie to the horses.
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |