RIGGS, Harold
| Service Number: | 1408 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 10th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Gawler, South Australia , May 1890 |
| Home Town: | Broken Hill, Broken Hill Municipality, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Engine Fitter |
| Died: | Sydney, New South Wales , 5 October 1932, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Rookwood Cemeteries & Crematorium, New South Wales Zone C, Section 10, Grave 2004. Rookwood Cemetery. |
| Memorials: | Broken Hill Barrier District Roll of Honour, Broken Hill Blende Street Methodist Church Honour Board, Broken Hill Silverton Tramway Employees Honour Roll, Broken Hill South Mine Roll of Honour, Broken Hill Wesley Uniting Church Memorial Windows, Gawler Council Gawler Men Who Answered the Call WW1 Roll of Honor, Gawler War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 2 Feb 1915: | Involvement Corporal, 1408, 10th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Clan McGillivray embarkation_ship_number: A46 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Feb 1915: | Embarked Corporal, 1408, 10th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Clan McGillivray, Melbourne |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Playford International College
Harold Riggs was born on an unspecified day in May in the year 1890 to James and Emily Riggs. He was born in Gawler, South Australia. By profession, he was an Engine Fitter who lived in Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia when the war broke out.
At 24 and a half years old he was enlisted into the war on the 2nd of December 1914. Weighing 147 pounds and standing at 5 foot 7 inches, with his daunting pretty blue eyes, Harold Riggs was an intimidating man for his stature.
Harold had previously served in the Australian Rifles for six months. He was placed into the 10th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement.
Embarking on the 2nd of February 1915, from Melbourne, Victoria, on board the HMAT A46 Clan Macgillivray. After a month of traveling, they arrived in Port Suez, Egypt, on an unspecified day in March, 1915.
While in Egypt, he was transferred to the 50th Battalion in February 1916. In the same year, he was promoted from temporary Sergeant to Sergeant on March 1, 1916. While in Egypt he attended a school for Musketry and Tactical Handling.
Harold was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on May 26, 1916, and then he had another promotion as a Lieutenant on September 1, 1916. During that time, he contracted various diseases such as bronchitis and diarrhea.
Harold Riggs was ordered to march to England on September 11, 1918 in the vicinity of Vendelles, north west of St. Quentin. By a vigorous system of skilfully organised patrols,he located enemy posts, which he forced back without artillery support, capturing some prisoners and advancing his line over 1,700 yards.
On the 13th of September, Riggs’ troop beat off two generally hostile counter attacks against the enemies. Throughout the operations, he mostly showed a splendid example of gallant and determined leadership.
On April 18,1919, Harold commenced to return to Australia on board the HT “Commonwealth.” His efforts during the war had earned him the valor of Military Cross on July 19, 1919.
Sadly on October 5, 1932 Harold passed away at the age of 42. He was buried in Rookwood Necropolis, New South Wales.
This is where Harold's story ends.
Lest we forget, Harold Riggs.
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