Harold Williamson's Story.
EARLY LIFE
Harold Williamson Higgins was born on 24th September 1893 and baptised on 14th March 1894 at Crumpsall Park Wesleyan Methodist Church, Lansdowne Road, the son of Ellen Jane (née Williamson) and William Whittaker Higgins, of 18 Edna Street, Higher Crumpsall, Manchester.
The 1901 census showed that the family had moved to Moss Lane, Bramhall, where seven-year-old Harold was living with his parents and siblings Margaret (14), William (10), Harry (3) and John (9 months). By 1911 they had moved again, to "Ashdene", Kitt's Moss Lane, Bramhall; Harold had left school and was employed as a clerk. The family later lived at "Glenroyd", Ack Lane, Bramhall.
Harold attended Pownall Green County Primary School, Bramhall from January 1900, and from September 1906 was a pupil at Macclesfield Grammar School.
WW1 SERVICE
Harold joined the 6th Batallion of the Manchester Regiment soon after the outbreak of war, receiving service number 2460. He was drafted overseas on 5th May 1915 and served with "D" Company but sadly was wounded in the stomach less than a month later. Although he was evacuated to a hospital ship, he died from his wounds on the way to hospital at Malta and was buried at sea. Conflicting miltary records give his date of death as either 6th or 14th June.
Harold's death was reported in the Alderley & Wilmslow Advertiser on 25th June 1915:
During the past weekend information has come to hand that a number of the Bramhall soldiers have been wounded in action in the Dardanelles, and one of them, Private Harold Higgins, of the 6th Manchesters, has died from wounds. He was shot through the stomach, and died on a hospital ship whilst on the way to Malta. Private Higgins attained his 21st birthday whilst with his regiment in Egypt. He was the son of Mr William Higgins, of Kitts Moss-lane, Bramhall, and was well-known in the district, being a member of the Bramhall Cricket and Tennis Club. The news of his death was sent by Private Edward Atkinson, son of Mr Atkinson, builder and contractor, of Thornlea, Bramhall, who was himself wounded just above the shoulder and is in hospital at Malta.
Elsewhere in the same newspaper is the following report, along with a photograph of Harold:
Private Higgins, who died of wounds received in the Dardanelles, was the son of Mr and Mrs Wm Higgins, of Ashdene, Kitt's Moss Lane, Bramhall. His parents received news from the War Office on Monday morning. He joined the 6th Manchesters (Territorials) in August, and went to Egypt, later being transferred to the Dardanelles.
He is the first soldier in Bramhall to lose his life in action. He was 21 years of age and unmarried. He was a prominent Sunday school worker and teacher in connection with Bramhall Wesleyans, and also a worker in connection with the Wesley Guild; a great favourite amongst all the young people and very well known in the district. A memorial service was conducted on Tuesday evening at the Wesleyan Church...
COMMEMORATION
Private Harold Higgins has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel 159 to 171 of the Helles Memorial, Turkey.
Locally, Private Harold Higgins is commemorated on the Bramhall (Bramhall Lane), Bramhall Wesleyan Church, Bramhall St Michael’s Church, and Macclesfield Grammar School war memorials.
NOTES
Brother of William Stanley Higgins, who served as Gunner 139038 with 228 Siege Battery RGA and survived the war; and Harry "Ronnie" Higgins who served as Private 50218, 8th Royal Fusiliers, and was killed in action on 24th January 1918.
SOURCES
GRO (England & Wales) Index: Births
Baptism Registers: Crumpsall Park Wesleyan Methodist Church (Ancestry)
Census (England & Wales): 1901, 1911
National School Admission Registers, Cheshire (Find My Past)
WWI Absent Voters' List, 1918 (Find My Past)
WWI British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects
WWI British Army Medal Rolls Index Cards
Commonwealth War Graves Commission website
Alderley & Wilmslow Advertiser: 25th June 1915, 5th Nov 1915
Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.
Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.