HIGGISON, Arthur Ernest John
| Service Number: | 6991 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 November 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Coonamble, New South Wales, Australia, 5 December 1879 |
| Home Town: | Balmain, Leichhardt, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Driver |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Belgium, 22 September 1917, aged 37 years |
| Cemetery: |
Bedford House Cemetery, Flanders, Belgium Plot III, Row E, Grave No. 3, Bedford House Cemetery, Ypres, Flanders, Belgium, Sanctuary Wood Cemetery, Ypres, Flanders, Belgium |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 1 Nov 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 6991, 2nd Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Nov 1916: | Involvement Private, 6991, 2nd Infantry Battalion, Third Ypres, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Benalla embarkation_ship_number: A24 public_note: '' | |
| 9 Nov 1916: | Embarked Private, 6991, 2nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Benalla, Sydney |
Help us honour Arthur Ernest John Higgison's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Arthur Higgison was 36 years of age when he enlisted. He had married Annie Dalrymple in 1905 in Sydney, and was the father of four children. Arthur only arrived in France during August 1917 and was killed in action less than a month later. His body was found and reburied during 1923 and his identity disc was forwarded to his wife. The four children were Roy aged 11, Hilda age 9, Lily age 6 and Edna age 2, at the time of their Dad's death.
Arthur's younger brother, 3485 Pte. Sydney Percy Higgison 53rd Battalion AIF was killed in action at Fromelles 19 July 1916.
Another brother, 1562 Lance Corporal George Gordon Edward Higginson 4th Pioneer Battalion was severely wounded by a high explosive shell on the 29 September 1917, and his right leg was soon after amputated. He was returned to Australia during January 1918.
The following family notice appeared in the Sydney newspapers,
HIGGISON.-In ever-loving memory of my dear husband and our dear daddy Pte A. E. J. Higgison. killed in action, Ypres, September 21, 1917, aged 39 years.
When alone in my sorrow the bitter tears flow, here stealeth the dreams of the dear long ago, and unknown to the world he stands by my side, And whispers the words, "Death cannot divide"
Inserted by his sorrowing wife, Annie, and Children, Roy, Hilda, Lillie, and baby, Edna, 10 Smithers Street, City (late of Balmain).
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