The AIF Project

William Edwin HIGGINS

Regimental number49
Place of birthBlackwattle Western Australia
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationFarmhand
Address55 Samson Street, Fremantle, Western Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21
Next of kinFather, James Higgins, Cranbrook, Western Australia
Enlistment date14 January 1916
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name44th Battalion, A Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/61/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A29 Suevic on 6 June 1916
Rank from Nominal RollSergeant
Unit from Nominal Roll44th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


Recommendation date: 9 October 1918

FateReturned to Australia 1 June 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'On 29th September, 1918, during operations South of BONY Sergeant HIGGIN's platoon officer became a casualty. He immediately took command, led, and directed his platoon with success against an enemy counter-attack. It was mainly on account of the fine work of Sergeant HIGGINS that the counter attack failed to reach its objective and suffered heavy casualties. Sergeant HIGGINS also reconnoitred a wide stretch of ''NO MANS LAND'' under heavy machine gun fire and established liaison with the flank Division, a most difficult and dangerous piece of work. Throughout the whole operation Sergeant HIGGINS did exceptionally fine work.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 115
Date: 10 October 1919

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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