The AIF Project

Robert Thomas WIGGINS

Regimental number3984
Place of birthBoort, Victoria
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationLabourer
Address21 Margaret Street, Footscray, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation31
Height5' 6.5"
Weight144 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs Annie Wiggins, 21 Margaret Street, Footscray, Victoria
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date6 July 1915
Place of enlistmentMelbourne, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name7th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/24/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A40 Ceramic on 23 November 1915
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll59th Battalion
FateKilled in Action 19 July 1916
Place of burialNo known grave
Commemoration detailsV.C. Corner (Panel No 18), Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
169
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Allotted to and proceeded to join 59th Bn, Tel el Kebir, 26 February 1916.

Transferred to 58th Bn, 15 March 1916.

Transferred to 59th Bn, 19 March 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 18 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916.

Posted missing, 19 July 1916.

Statement on file, 3158 Pte W.C. THOMPSON,: I knew No 3984 Pte Wiggins T.R. I was in the Front line of Trenches on the 19th of July 1916 about one hour before the charge. I was sitting in a Dug Out with Private Wiggins when a shel landed on the corner of the adjoining Dug-Out in which we were sitting. The roof of our Dug-Out was partly knocked off. I received a slight wound and Private Wiggins received a piece of Shell in the head which killed him instantly. He had a large hole in the head and I am sure he was dead.'

Fate determined as as 'Killed in Action, 19 July 1916'.

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, WIGGINS Robert Thomas
Red Cross file 2940412

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