Captain, Sydney Harold WIGG
Aged 29
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Born in Newmarket in Q1-1889 [Newmarket 3b:512], 2nd son of Arthur Samuel and Margaret Ellen WIGG (née BECK) of Fairfield House,
High Street, Newmarket.
1891 census...Sydney [2] was at Fairfield House, High Street,Newmarket with his father Arthur Samuel [33] a watchmaker and jeweller, born Halesworth, his mother Margaret Ellen [38] born Worcester, his sister Edie [8] and brother Arthur Cecil [5]. All the children were Newmarket born. 1901 census...Sydney [12] was still at Fairfield House with his parents and siblings, including a new sister, Vera Marguerite [7] born Newmarket. 1911 census...Sydney [22],a civil engineer, was lodging with the Males family at 6 Richmond Terrace, Cambridge. His parents, brother Arthur (a jewellers assistant) and sister Vera were still at Fairfield House. He was Borough Surveyor in Islington prior to enlistment. He enlisted in Newmarket in October 1914 and was commissioned on 25th September 1915 (reported in Newmarket Journal of 2nd October 1915). |
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The Newmarket Journal of October 9th, 1915 reported:- Mr. S.H.WIGG RECEIVES A COMMISSION - The London Gazetteof Friday night contained the following announcement:- Territorial Force, London Brigade: Sergt.Sydney Howard Wigg, from the Suffolk Yeomanry to be Second Lieutenant,dated 25th September. Lieut Wigg is a son of Mr.A.S.Wigg, jeweller of Newmarket, and is a surveyor and civil engineer by profession. he left England with the Suffolk Yeomanry for foreign service just before his appointment to a commission was gazetted. He was wounded in 1917, returning to the front in September 1917. He was returning to his battery from a forward observation post to the NE of Cambrai when he was killed. Cambrai had been captured by the Canadians two days earlier. Newspaper Cutting (Newmarket Journal) 26/10/1918: 'Capt. S.H. Wigg Killed In Action - It is with the deepest regret that we record the death of Captain Sidney Harold Wigg, who was struck and killed instantly when returning from the front line to his Battery, in the region of Cambrai, on Sunday, October 13th. Capt. Wigg was the second son of Mr and Mrs A.S. Wigg, High Street, Newmarket, and was a young officer of quite exceptional ability and promise. He was only 29 years of age. Educated at the Perse School, he served his articles with the Borough Surveyor at Cambridge, and was subsequently in the Surveyor's Department there for some time before obtaining the appointment in the Borough Engineer's Department at Islington, which he held when the war broke out. For three years previously he had been a Sergeant in the Suffolk Yeomanry, and was mobilised on August 4th, 1914, with that unit, with which he served at the Dardanelles. Returning to England to take up a commission with the R.F.A. three years ago, he proceeded to France in 1916, and had since been playing his part in the chief theatre of war. In February, 1917, he was invalided home, but returned to the field in August of that year. Some time later he was appointed Reconnaissance Officer on the staff of the 51st Division, and about two months ago, on being promoted to the rank of Captain, was attached to a Field Battery , of which, at the time of his death, he was in temporary command, the Major being on leave. Brig.-General L. Oldfield, R.F.A., writing to Mr Wigg on Oct. 15th, says: "Dear Mr Wigg, - I am writing a line to say how very sorry I am at the death of your son. His own Brigade will have told you details. As you know, he has been my Reconnaissance Officer, and been with me a great deal. His work was always sound an reliable. He had been about to be attached to the General Staff with a view to appointment there. He was certain to have done well. He had a host of friends, and I particularly miss in him a personal fried." The Chaplain, in a very sympathetic letter, states that Capt. Wigg was buried with military honours in the British Cemetery at Ramillies, outside Cambrai, and a cross is being erected over his grave. "We shall miss him as a most cheerful comrade, and a capable officer," he adds. Among many other letters of sympathy which Mr and Mrs Wigg have received is one from the Borough Engineer of Islington, bearing testimony to their son's high ability and to the real affection which he inspired in those who were associated with him. In his last letter home Capt. Wigg (who was here on short leave only about three weeks ago) said: "Our guns have helped to take Cambrai," and that he had just visited the town. - In their sorrow Mr and Mrs Wigg and family will have the heartfelt sympathy of everyone in this town and district.' The Bury Free Press on 2nd November 1918 reported Capt. WIGG KILLED IN ACTION Then followed the identical article to that in the Newmarket Journal. |
Wigg family monument, Newmarket Cemetery
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