Family Card - Person Sheet
Family Card - Person Sheet
NameWilliam George BIGGS
Birthabt 1878, Craven Arms, Shropshire
Death31 Oct 1918, Salonica, Greece
Spouses
1Hilda Mary BAXTER, 3C3R
Birth14 Oct 1876, Sibdon, Craven Arms, Shropshire
Death25 Jun 1962
FatherHenry Fleming BAXTER (1838-1916)
MotherAnn Maria WEAVER (~1843-1930)
Marriage1909
Notes for William George BIGGS
In the 1901 census 21 Newington Terrace, Halford, Shropshire
Head Richard Biggs, age 52, railway passenger guard, worker, born Stokesay, Shropshire
Wife Martha Bigga, age 51, born Bromfield, Shropshire
Daughter Elizabeth Biggs, single, age 24, dressmaker, own account at home, born Halford
Son William George Biggs, single, age 23, railway engine fireman,, worker, born Halford
Son Charles E. Biggs, single, age 18 railway engine cleaner, worker, born Halford
Daughter Ada Martha Biggs, single, age 16, school teacher, worker, born Halford
Son James Robert Biggs, age 11, born Halford
[Halford is across the river from Craven Arms.]
[Most of the male workers on this census page and the next are railway workers of one sort or another.]
National Probate Calendar
William George Biggs of Tremynfa Craven Arms Shropshire regimental sergeant major Royal Engineers died 31 October 1918 at Salonica on active service Administration (with Will) London 4 February 1919 to Hilda Mary Biggs widow. Effects 569 pounds
[Thus he died with 11 days left in the war!]
UK Soldiers Who Died in the Great War
William George Biggs of Craven Arms, Shropshire
Died October 31 1918, Salonica [Greece], Balkan Theatre
Enlisted London
Rank Regimental Sergeant Major, Royal Engineers, 32nd L.R.O. Company
Findagrave.com
Regimental Sergeant Major William George Biggs, Service Number WR/296766
Died October 31 1918
Buried Kirechkoi-Hortakoi Military Cemetery, Exochi, Regional unit of Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece
Plot 403
Age 40
Royal Engineers, 32nd Light Railway Operating Company
Honours: Meritorious Service Medal
Son of Richard and Martha Biggs, of Craven Arms; husband of Hilda M. Biggs, of Tremynfa, Craven Arms, Salop. Served in the Royal Engineers in the South African Campaign; and volunteered for active service in 1914.
https://www.shropshiresgreatoutdoors.co.uk/route/w...me-front-craven-arms/
Halford Church
Is the lych-gate of St Thomas Shropshire’s least known war memorial? Craven Arms & District History Group uncovered a touching love story; one which overcame family and class prejudice. “To the Glory of God and in loving memory of my husband William George Biggs and of the other dear lads who together with him were members of this choir and congregation.” The reference to “in loving memory of my husband.” suggests something very personal. It is the sole clue to Hilda Mary Biggs who was responsible for the memorial. Hilda Mary Baxter, born in 1876, was the daughter of the Rev Henry Fleming Baxter and vicar) of Halford and Sibdon Carwood. The family was wealthy and gentry. This young woman, from the world of Jane Austen, married a railway stoker. There was talk that ‘Her family were not too keen on the match but love won the day.’ In 1901 Hilda was 25. She helped her father with his duties. The railways were the major employer in Craven Arms. A terrace – built by the railway company for 28 families – was the main source of Halford parishioners. In No 21 Newington Terrace lived a guard, Richard Biggs, and his family.
So Hilda Baxter met William Biggs, who had followed his father, and was a stoker. The couple married in 1908 at All Saints, Ealing; her father having retired there. If they felt she was marrying beneath her, they were clearly reconciled to the match. Then came the First World War. Hilda’s faith was vindicated. The army too, thought highly of William. He was made a Regimental Sergeant Major with a railway operating company of the Royal Engineers and awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (a silver medal for distinguished service or gallantry). Hilda died aged 85 in 1962, leaving £1m in today’s terms. The war memorial at Halford is an enduring monument not just to 18 men of the parish, 8 of them, like her husband, with railway connections, but to this generous and inspiring woman.
Head Richard Biggs, age 52, railway passenger guard, worker, born Stokesay, Shropshire
Wife Martha Bigga, age 51, born Bromfield, Shropshire
Daughter Elizabeth Biggs, single, age 24, dressmaker, own account at home, born Halford
Son William George Biggs, single, age 23, railway engine fireman,, worker, born Halford
Son Charles E. Biggs, single, age 18 railway engine cleaner, worker, born Halford
Daughter Ada Martha Biggs, single, age 16, school teacher, worker, born Halford
Son James Robert Biggs, age 11, born Halford
[Halford is across the river from Craven Arms.]
[Most of the male workers on this census page and the next are railway workers of one sort or another.]
National Probate Calendar
William George Biggs of Tremynfa Craven Arms Shropshire regimental sergeant major Royal Engineers died 31 October 1918 at Salonica on active service Administration (with Will) London 4 February 1919 to Hilda Mary Biggs widow. Effects 569 pounds
[Thus he died with 11 days left in the war!]
UK Soldiers Who Died in the Great War
William George Biggs of Craven Arms, Shropshire
Died October 31 1918, Salonica [Greece], Balkan Theatre
Enlisted London
Rank Regimental Sergeant Major, Royal Engineers, 32nd L.R.O. Company
Findagrave.com
Regimental Sergeant Major William George Biggs, Service Number WR/296766
Died October 31 1918
Buried Kirechkoi-Hortakoi Military Cemetery, Exochi, Regional unit of Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece
Plot 403
Age 40
Royal Engineers, 32nd Light Railway Operating Company
Honours: Meritorious Service Medal
Son of Richard and Martha Biggs, of Craven Arms; husband of Hilda M. Biggs, of Tremynfa, Craven Arms, Salop. Served in the Royal Engineers in the South African Campaign; and volunteered for active service in 1914.
https://www.shropshiresgreatoutdoors.co.uk/route/w...me-front-craven-arms/
Halford Church
Is the lych-gate of St Thomas Shropshire’s least known war memorial? Craven Arms & District History Group uncovered a touching love story; one which overcame family and class prejudice. “To the Glory of God and in loving memory of my husband William George Biggs and of the other dear lads who together with him were members of this choir and congregation.” The reference to “in loving memory of my husband.” suggests something very personal. It is the sole clue to Hilda Mary Biggs who was responsible for the memorial. Hilda Mary Baxter, born in 1876, was the daughter of the Rev Henry Fleming Baxter and vicar) of Halford and Sibdon Carwood. The family was wealthy and gentry. This young woman, from the world of Jane Austen, married a railway stoker. There was talk that ‘Her family were not too keen on the match but love won the day.’ In 1901 Hilda was 25. She helped her father with his duties. The railways were the major employer in Craven Arms. A terrace – built by the railway company for 28 families – was the main source of Halford parishioners. In No 21 Newington Terrace lived a guard, Richard Biggs, and his family.
So Hilda Baxter met William Biggs, who had followed his father, and was a stoker. The couple married in 1908 at All Saints, Ealing; her father having retired there. If they felt she was marrying beneath her, they were clearly reconciled to the match. Then came the First World War. Hilda’s faith was vindicated. The army too, thought highly of William. He was made a Regimental Sergeant Major with a railway operating company of the Royal Engineers and awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (a silver medal for distinguished service or gallantry). Hilda died aged 85 in 1962, leaving £1m in today’s terms. The war memorial at Halford is an enduring monument not just to 18 men of the parish, 8 of them, like her husband, with railway connections, but to this generous and inspiring woman.
Notes for Hilda Mary (Spouse 1)
In the 1881 census Sibdon Castle, Sibdon Carwood, Shropshire
Head Henry F. Baxter, age 42, Curate of Sibdon, born Ludlow, Salopshire
Wife Ann Maria Baxter, age 38, born Worcester, Worcestershire
Son R. H. F. Baxter, age 7, scholar, born Sibdon
Daughter Hilda Mary Baxter, age 4, born Sibdon
Son Godfrey F. Baxter, age 1, born Sibdon
Visitor Ann Green, unmarried, age 34, born Hong Kong, China, British Subject
4 servants - a cook, a nurse, a palour maid and a house maid
In the 1901 census Sibdon Castle, Sibdon Carwood, Shropshire
Head Henry F. Baxter, age 62, Clergyman of the Church of England, born Ludlow, Shropshire
Wife Anne. M. Baxter, age 58, born Worcester, Worcestershire
Daughter Hilda M. Baxter, single, age 24, born Sibdon
Son Godfrey F. Baxter, single, age 21, undergraduate Cambridge, born Sibdon
Visitor Augusta M. Warren, single, age 40, born Middleton, Shropshire
3 servants - a cook, a parlour maid and a house maid
In the 1911 census Tremyfnd, Craven Arms, Shropshire
Head William George Biggs, age 33, railway stocker locomotive department railway company, worker, born Craven Arms, Shropshire
Wife Hilda Mary Biggs, age 34, married 2 years - no children born alive, born Craven Arms
1 servant
1939 England and Wales Register
Trewfid, Craven Arms, Shropshire
1. Hilda M. Biggs, born October 14 1876, widow, private means
National Probate Calendar
Hilda Mary Biggs of Tremynfa Clun Road Craven Arms Shropshire widow died 25 June 1962 Probate Birmingham 31 July 1962 to Arthur Edward Oliver Beeson solicitora managing clerk and Austen George Blomer bank manager. Effects 54 235 pounds.
Head Henry F. Baxter, age 42, Curate of Sibdon, born Ludlow, Salopshire
Wife Ann Maria Baxter, age 38, born Worcester, Worcestershire
Son R. H. F. Baxter, age 7, scholar, born Sibdon
Daughter Hilda Mary Baxter, age 4, born Sibdon
Son Godfrey F. Baxter, age 1, born Sibdon
Visitor Ann Green, unmarried, age 34, born Hong Kong, China, British Subject
4 servants - a cook, a nurse, a palour maid and a house maid
In the 1901 census Sibdon Castle, Sibdon Carwood, Shropshire
Head Henry F. Baxter, age 62, Clergyman of the Church of England, born Ludlow, Shropshire
Wife Anne. M. Baxter, age 58, born Worcester, Worcestershire
Daughter Hilda M. Baxter, single, age 24, born Sibdon
Son Godfrey F. Baxter, single, age 21, undergraduate Cambridge, born Sibdon
Visitor Augusta M. Warren, single, age 40, born Middleton, Shropshire
3 servants - a cook, a parlour maid and a house maid
In the 1911 census Tremyfnd, Craven Arms, Shropshire
Head William George Biggs, age 33, railway stocker locomotive department railway company, worker, born Craven Arms, Shropshire
Wife Hilda Mary Biggs, age 34, married 2 years - no children born alive, born Craven Arms
1 servant
1939 England and Wales Register
Trewfid, Craven Arms, Shropshire
1. Hilda M. Biggs, born October 14 1876, widow, private means
National Probate Calendar
Hilda Mary Biggs of Tremynfa Clun Road Craven Arms Shropshire widow died 25 June 1962 Probate Birmingham 31 July 1962 to Arthur Edward Oliver Beeson solicitora managing clerk and Austen George Blomer bank manager. Effects 54 235 pounds.