eastsurreyregiment

John Alfred Whittard Bigger. Fourth of seven children born to William Grimshaw Bigger [b.1861 d.1922] a doctor and Emily Philadelphia Bigger nee Whittard [sic] [b.1862 d.1941]. Born in the First quarter of 1893, baptised on 22nd February 1893 at the Parish Church of the Immanuel, Streatham, London. The 1901 census records him living at “Aberfoyle” the family home overlooking Streatham Common, London, with his parents and older brothers Walter [b.1889], William [b.1891] and younger brother Charles [b.1899]. The household also comprised four live-in domestic servants. The 1911 census records him living at with his parents at “Aberford” 512 High Road, Streatham, London. Also in the household are his older sister Kathleen [b.1888], brothers Walter & William – both now Medical Students, and two cousins. The family now has only three domestic servants. John’s occupation is recorded as being in the “Woollen Trade”. His medal record card shows that he joined the 5th East Surrey Regiment as a Private and was later commissioned into the 4th East Surrey Regiment. It further shows that he first served in India. London Gazette entry – February 1917 – Special Reserve Officers Cadet Unit, to be 2nd Lieuts. with effect 25th January 1917 .... J A W Bigger, East Surrey Regiment. His entry in the National Probate Calendar reads “Bigger, John Alfred Whittard of The Croft, Commonside East, Mitcham, Surrey. 2nd Lieut. H>M Army died 8th May 1917 France on active service. Probate London 23rd May to William Grimshaw Bigger, physician and surgeon. Effects £1327 9s 6d.

Sadly Nash was killed in action in Apri 1915. His parent were living in Worcester at the time. www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=155439

www.martley.org.uk/people/nashclose.htm

All three of the Nash boys, George, James and Slade, went to School House, King's School, Worcester. This was to be expected as their mother was the daughter of the Rev. Maurice Day, Headmaster of King's for 20 years from 1859 (and later vicar of Wichenford).

George, the eldest son, was at School House for 4 years from 1900 and then went on to Repton. From there he won an open scholarship to Magdalene College, Cambridge, where, in 1912, he graduated with a BA Hons degree in History. Wishing to be ordained, he then studied Divinity at Cuddesdon Theological College, Oxford, and it was from there that he joined the Worcestershire Regiment.

The second son James was at School House for longer, 1903-12. He won a Meeke scholarship to Hertford College, Oxford, to read Classics but, before graduating, he joined the East Surrey Regiment in August 1914.

Within a year, these two bright young men were dead. Later, the George Nash Divinity Prize and the James Nash Classical Prize were endowed in their honour, both for the Fifth Forms of King's School.

James was the first to fall in action, on 2nd of April 1915, in the trenches north-east of Mount Kemmel near Ypres. He was killed by a bullet coming from long range from the right flank. He was buried in the Kemmel Military Cemetary, Flanders, aged 21.

Then just two months later, Richard and Edith had another shock when a War Office telegram arrived at The Noak informing them that George had been seriously wounded in the head, on 10th June, during the Battle at Hooge. An operation was at first thought to have been successful but he deteriorated. His mother braved the dangers of travelling abroad during the war and was with him when he died at the Boulogne Stationary Hospital on 29th June 1915, aged 24.

On Thursday 1st July, Edith arrived back in Worcester with her son's body which was taken on a gun carriage first to The Noak and then, on the next day, to St. Peter's. His funeral was on the Saturday afternoon, a detachment of King's school O.T.C. lining the path.

Help piece together the Life Stories of more than 8 million men and women who made a contribution during the First World War at www.livesofthefirstworldwar.org/

There is no corresponding entry on the CWGC website so it would appear that Private Alexander survived the war. There are 2 candidates in the MIC records: Pte 23974 East Surrey Regt or Pte 10889 in the E Surrey Rgt, later G/81279 The Queen's Regiment.

There is a George Herbert Alexander in the 1911 census who was born circa 1881 in Battersea, Surrey [sic]. At that time he was a Surveyor's Clerk living at 71 Kelmscott Road in Battersea, who had married Alice Gertrude in 1909 and had a newly born son Clifford George.

Help piece together the Life Stories of more than 8 million men and women who made a contribution during the First World War at www.livesofthefirstworldwar.org/