Arthur Graham BRIGGS

BRIGGS, Arthur Graham

Service Number: 598
Enlisted: 27 July 1915
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 30th Infantry Battalion
Born: Cudgewa, Victoria, Australia, date not yet discovered
Home Town: Albury, Albury Municipality, New South Wales
Schooling: Cudgewa School, Victoria, Australia
Occupation: Blacksmith
Died: Peritonitis, Albury, New South Wales, Australia, 4 December 1915, age not yet discovered
Cemetery: Albury Pioneer Cemetery, NSW
Plan: 6 Section: PRES Row: D Lot: 25
Memorials:
Show Relationships

World War 1 Service

27 Jul 1915: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 598, 30th Infantry Battalion
4 Dec 1915: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 598, 30th Infantry Battalion

Help us honour Arthur Graham Briggs's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by Stephen Learmonth

Arthur Graham Briggs was born in 1891 in Cudgewa, Victoria. He was the eldest of nine children to James and Emily Loiuse (nee Eames). The Briggs family was one of the early settlers in the Upper Murray and played an important part in its development.

Arthur enlisted in Liverpool, NSW, on the 18th of July, 1915. He indicated on his attestation papers that he had prior military experience, having been a member of the 17th battery of the AFA for two years. He was given the service number 598 and placed on the roll of C Company of the 2nd Reinforcement of the 30th Battalion. 

The Monday, 6th of December, 1915, edition of the Border Morning Mail and Riverina Times describes Arthur’s short story:

Death of Private Briggs

A Military Funeral

 

Under sudden and sad circumstances Private Arthur Graham Briggs, 24 years of age, son of Mr Jas. Briggs, of Townsend street, Albury, died at 2 o’clock on Saturday morning at the Albury Hospital.

It was only a few weeks since the late Private Briggs had decided to follow the footsteps of two of his brothers, who had gone to the front. In his departure Ald. H. G. Davies made him a presentation at the townhall on behalf of himself and other fellow employees at Messrs Frew and Logan’s brickworks, where the deceased had been employed. Being tall, robust, and alert, Ald. Davies commented at the time on the fine, typical Australian soldier Private Briggs would make. Although but a short time in camp in Liverpool, the deceased had well confirmed these prospects. However he became ill two weeks ago, and had not recovered when he was given final leave to come to Albury. On arrival here, the deceased was admitted to the hospital, and died from peritonitis.

The funeral, which was a military one, took place yesterday afternoon. A firing party comprising one sergeant and 12 privates led the procession. Next came the Albury Town Band, then the hearse (there being no gun carriage in Albury at present), the private mourning carriage, and the military mourners, comprising Colonel Wilkinson, Major Butcher, and officers of the 44th Battalion Senior Cadets. A large concourse of public followed the cortege to the cemetery. The funeral arrangement were conducted by Messrs Frew and Logan.

Arthur was buried in the Presbyterian section of the Albury Cemetery.

 

Read more...