Frederick Albert Edwin Biggs

Private

Conflict:

WW1

Additional Information:

Son of Alfred and Annie Biggs, of Tapawera, Nelson, New Zealand.

References:

CWGC

Archives New Zealand

NZ WAR GRAVES

Public Contributions:

Frederick a third generation New Zealander grew up surrounded by his immediate and large extended family. His Grandfather George and Grandmother Frances had come out from England in 1841-1842. Both d...ied before he was born. His Father Alfred was born in 1853 and married Frederick's mother Annie (Nee Louden) 30th August 1837. Frederick was born on 27th January 1893. He was the 9th child and 5th boy born to his parents. Another 3 children were born before the family was complete. Frederick's father died when Frederick was just 12 years old. Frederick at age 17 in 1910 applied for a lease of 1432 acres of farm land at Wangapeka. I do not know of the outcome of the application. By the time Frederick signed up to join the armed forces on 5th November 1915 the First World War was in full force and the requirement for reinforcements was strong. Frederick was just 22 years of age. Frederick joined the Canterbury Infantry Battalion C Company, and left New Zealand from Wellington on 1st May 1916. The ship he embarked on was the "Ulimaroa" bound for Suez, Egypt. Disembarking in Egypt Frederick would have taken part in 6 weeks plus training for the battles ahead. From there he was shipped to France to reinforce the Canterbury Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion. In France the New Zealand Division settled in on the stalemated Western Front and their first major trial was the Battle of the Somme. It took part in the fourth Army's attack on 15th September 1916 under the command of the British XV Corps. Frederick died of wounds on 17th September 1916 most likely sustained on the 15th or 16th at the beginning of the Battle of the Somme. His was a short war in which he paid the ulimate sacrifice. It was just four and a half months from leaving New Zealand until his death. His mother Annie would have been informed of his death and would have had to grieve without a body to bury or a grave to mourn over. I cannot find a bereavement notice in the local papers of the time so use the one written for another Biggs' family member also killed in the First World War which I found most fitting to extend to Frederick "He died as he lived, noble and brave, his life for freedom's cause he gave, so ready to answer the call of the brave, although he now sleeps in a far distant grave". [Record since amended by NZWGT - Frederick Biggs' service record shows DOB as 27/1/1892 and BDM online has DOB as 30/1/1892] Read More

Add a Story or Photo

Casualty

Service Number:

11611

Name:

Frederick Albert Edwin Biggs

Rank:

Private

Date of Birth:

Not known

Next of Kin:

Mrs Annie Biggs (mother), Tapawera, Nelson, New Zealand

Date of Enlistment:

Not known

Occupation on Enlistment:

Farmer

Armed Force:

Army

Unit:

NZEF, Canterbury Regiment, 2 Battalion

Casualty Details

Cause of Death:

Died of wounds

Date of Death:

17 September 1916

Day of Death:

Sunday

Age at Death:

Conflict:

WW1

Embarkation Details

Embarkation Body:

New Zealand Expeditionary Force

Embarkation Place:

Wellington, New Zealand

Embarkment Date:

01 May 1916

Transport:

HMNZT 51

Vessel:

Ulimaroa

Destination:

Suez, Egypt

Text in italics supplied by Cenotaph Online, Auckland War Memorial Museum

Cemetery

Cemetery:

Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension

Cemetery Reference:

III. A. 36.

Cemetery Location:

France