Wiggs, W J
WILLIAM JOHN WIGGS
Remembered with honour Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery: Plot VI, Row H, Grave 15.
He enlisted 5 November 1913 in Watford in the Territorial Force for four years’ service: a painter aged 17, 5’5″ tall. He served at Home to 4 November 1914, and in France from 5 November 1914. He was attached to Brigade Bombers 15 September 1915 and granted leave 15 to 26 December 1916. He was formerly Private 2261 1st Hertfordshire Regiment; was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals, his qualifying date being 6 November 1914, and was killed in action.
There is an article about and a Death announcement for William in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 12 May 1917; plus an In Memoriam in the issue dated 4 May 1918.
Son of William Henry and the late Eliza (nee CLEAVER) WIGGS of Watford.
His parents married 4 August 1894 at St Mary’s, Watford. Eliza died 1899 in the St Alban’s, Herts, district aged 27, and was buried 8 April at Holy Trinity, Frogmore. William remarried 1902 in the Watford district to Lilian/Lily HAYES; he died 1941 in Watford aged 72, and was buried 15 July in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Lilian died 16 June 1962 in Watford aged 83, and was buried 21 June, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
William was born 1897 in Watford, and resided in Watford.
On the 1901 Census, aged 3 he lived in Watford, with his widowed father and one sibling. On the 1911 Census, at school aged 13 he still lived in Watford, with his father, step-mother and three siblings.
Service number
265362Rank
PrivateUnit
1st/1st BattalionRegiment
Place buried
Date of death
01/05/1917Age at death
19Place of death
- 1st S.W. Herts Scout Troop [in St Mary's Parish Church Watford] (4)
- Abbot's Langley Herts War Memorial (17)
- Aldbury Herts War Memorial (1)
- Aldenham Herts War Memorial (located in Letchmore Heath Herts) (8)
- All Saints Church Croxley Green Herts (12)
- All Saints Church Harrow Weald Middx (2)
- All Saints Church Hertford (1)
- All Saints Church King's Langley Herts (1)
- All Saints Church Leavesden Herts (31)
- All Saints Church Witham Essex (3)