James Biggs

M, b. 18 August 1864, d. 21 January 1928
FatherJames Biggs b. c 1827, d. 12 Apr 1876
MotherRachel Miles b. c 1834, d. 19 Feb 1907
Birth*James Biggs was born on 18 August 1864 at 12 Wood Street, Lyncombe, Bath, Somerset, England. Rachel Miles was listed as the informant on the birth certiifcate.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 
BaptismJames Biggs was baptized on 11 September 1864 at Lyncombe St Mark Parish, Lyncombe, Bath, Somerset, England.10 
(Son) CensusHe appeared on the census of 1871 as the son of James Biggs at 12 Wood Street, Lyncombe, Bath, Somerset, England.2 
(Brother) CensusJames Biggs appeared on the census of 1881 as the brother of John Biggs at 13 Oriel Street, New Swindon, Wiltshire, England.11 
Occupation*James Biggs was a painter circa 1883.3 
Milit-Beg*He joined the Highland Light Infantry on 13 November 1883 at Hamilton Barracks, Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland.3 
Milit-Serv*He served in the 1st battalion of the Highland Light Infantry between 13 November 1883 and 8 February 1895 at England. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 21 Aug 1885, Corporal on 27 Mar 1886, Sergeant on 15 May 1889 and Color Sergeant on 01 Oct 1893.4,5,12,13,14,15,3 
Residence*He and Minnie Emily Smith lived circa 1890 at 16 Outram Street, Islington, Middlesex, England.4 
Marriage*James Biggs married Minnie Emily Smith, daughter of John Smith, on 2 December 1890 at All Saints' Church, Battle Bridge, Islington, Middlesex, England. The wedding party included Lewis Aufer and Fannie Elizabeth Nicholson.4,3 
Census*James Biggs appeared as the head of a household along with his wife, Minnie Emily Smith on the census of 1891 at The Citadel Barracks, Western Heights, Hougham, Kent, England.5 
ResidenceJames Biggs and Minnie Emily Smith lived between 1892 and 1894 at Stanhope Lines, South Camp, Aldershot, Hampshire, England.12,13,14,15 
Birth of DaughterHis daughter Ethel Mary Biggs was born on 7 November 1892 at the Hospital, Aldershot, Hampshire, England.12,13,16,6 
Birth of SonHis son James Miles Biggs was born on 8 May 1894 at Stanhope Lines, South Camp, Aldershot, Hampshire, England.14,15,17 
Photo*James Biggs was in this photograph circa 1895 at Bath, Somerset, England.18
ResidenceHe and Minnie Emily Smith lived circa 1895 at Cottonera Lines, Malta.17,19,20 
Milit-ServJames Biggs served as a color sergeant in the Highland Light Infantry between 9 February 1895 and 31 December 1896 at Malta.17,19,20,3 
Birth of DaughterHis daughter Hilda Minnie Biggs was born on 25 April 1895 at Malta.19,20,21 
ResidenceJames Biggs and Minnie Emily Smith lived circa 1897 at 3 Woodbine Cottages, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England.22,23 
Milit-ServJames Biggs served as a color sergeant in the Highland Light Infantry between 1 January 1897 and 22 October 1899 at England.22,23,21,3 
Birth of SonHis son Archibald Alick Biggs was born on 31 January 1897 at 3 Woodbine Cottages, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England.22,16,6,7 
Residence*James Biggs lived circa 1898 at Fort Widley, Portsdown, Hampshire, England.21,24 
Milit-ServHe served as a color sergeant in the Highland Light Infantry between 23 October 1899 and 8 April 1901 at South Africa during the Boer War. He was awarded the Queen's South Africa medical with clasps for Modder River, Wittebergen amd South Africa 1901.16,25,3 
Milit-ServHe transferred to The King's Liverpool Regiment, 8th Scottish Volunteer Battalion retaining the rank of a color sergeant as an army drill instructor between 9 April 1901 and 7 November 1904 at Liverpool, Lancashire, England. On 04 Sep 1903, he was promoted to Acting Sergeant Major of Valor.26,27,3 
ResidenceHe and Minnie Emily Smith lived circa 1902 at 22 Highgate Street, West Derby, Liverpool, Lancashire, England.26,27 
(Informant) BirthJames Biggs was listed as an informant on the birth certificate of Jessie Marguerite Biggs on 13 February 1902 at 22 Highgate Street, West Derby, Liverpool, Lancashire, England.26,3,6,7 
ResidenceJames Biggs and Minnie Emily Smith lived circa 1904 at 6 Alderson Road, Liverpool, Lancashire, England.3 
Milit-End*James Biggs ended military service on 7 November 1904 at Warrington, Lancashire, England, having served 21 years in the British Army before being discharged through "termination of period of engagement." At hte time of his discharge, his character was noted as being "exemplary."3,28,8 
OccupationHe was a clerk circa 1911 at Dalston, Hackney, London, England.6 
CensusHe appeared as the head of a household along with his wife, Minnie Emily Smith on the census of 1911 at 188 Queen's Road, Dalston, Hackney, London, England. The household also included Ethel Mary Biggs, Archibald Alick Biggs, Jessie Marguerite Biggs and Maria Lapthorn Dean.6 
ResidenceJames Biggs and Minnie Emily Smith lived between 1918 and 1925 at 49 Duncan Buildings, Verulam Street, Holborn, London, England.7,29,30 
OccupationJames Biggs was a superintendant circa 1921 at Metropolitan Association for Improving the Dwellings of the Industrious Classes, Holborn, London, England.7 
CensusHe appeared as the head of a household along with his wife, Minnie Emily Smith on the census of 1921 at 49 Duncan Buildings, Verulam Street, Holborn, London, England. The household also included Jessie Marguerite Biggs, Archibald Alick Biggs and Doris Mahala Watts.7 
ResidenceJames Biggs and Minnie Emily Smith lived between 1927 and 1928 at Thrift Cottage, Ware Road, Hailey, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, England.31,8,9 
Death*James Biggs died on 21 January 1928 at Thrift Cottage, Ware Road, Hailey, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, England, at age 63. The informant listed on the death certificate was Minnie Emily Smith.8 
Burial*James Biggs was buried on 28 January 1928 at Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, England.9 

Family

Minnie Emily Smith b. bt 1866 - 1868, d. 15 May 1939
Marriage*He married Minnie Emily Smith, daughter of John Smith, on 2 December 1890 at All Saints' Church, Battle Bridge, Islington, Middlesex, England. The wedding party included Lewis Aufer and Fannie Elizabeth Nicholson.4,3 
Children
Last Edited16 Jan 2023

Citations

  1. [S2457] England, birth certificate for James Biggs, born 18 Aug 1864; citing 05c/696/244, Bath registration district and Lyncombe and Widcome subdistrict; General Registry Office, Southport.
  2. [S2464] 1871 census of England, Somerset, Bath, Lyncombe and Widcombe, pp. 34-35, James Biggs household; digital image, Findmypast (http://www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 24 Oct 2022); citing Class: RG10; Piece: 2483; Folio: 20; Page: 34; GSU roll: 835195.
  3. [S2549] Royal Hospital Chelsea: Soldiers Service Documents, "Discharge Papers - Surnames Bielby - Bilbey [1900-1913]," unpaginated, James Biggs, Service number 7576, discharged 07 Nov 1904; imaged, "British Army Service Records," database and images, FindMyPast (https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript : accessed 17 Nov 2022), image 366 of 1134; citing WO 97/4356 held by the National Archives of the UK.
  4. [S2541] England, marriage certificate for James Biggs and Minnie Emily Smith, 02 Dec 1890; citing 01b/452/324, Islington registration district and subdistrict; General Registry Office, Southport.
  5. [S2542] 1891 census of England, Kent, Hougham, The Citadel Barracks, p. 20, James Biggs household; digital image, Findmypast (http://www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 14 Nov 2022); citing Class: RG12; Piece: 747; Folio: 29; Page: 20; GSU roll: 6095857.
  6. [S2552] 1911 census of England, London, St. John-at-Hackney, South West Hackney, James Biggs household; digital image, Findmypast (http://www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 19 Nov 2022); citing RG14 PN1112 RD11 SD4 ED7 SN94, 1911 Census Returns of England and Wales, The National Archives of England, Kew.
  7. [S2553] 1921 census of England, London, Holborn, James Biggs household; digital image, Findmypast (http://www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 19 Nov 2022); citing RG 15 PN 01263 RD 14 RS 1 ED 8 SN 138, 1921 Census of England and Wales, The National Archives of England, Kew.
  8. [S2648] England, death certificate for James Biggs, died 21 Jan 1928; citing 03a/886/214, Ware registration district and Hoddesdon subdistrict; General Registry Office, Southport.
  9. [S2564] St. John the Baptist Parish (Great Amwell), "Register of Burials [1881 - 1928]," p. 98, entry no. 784, James Biggs, 28 Jan 1928; imaged, "Hertfordshire Burials," database and images, FindMyPast (https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript : accessed 20 Nov 2022), image 52 of 54; citing DP/4/1/23 held by the Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies Library.
  10. [S2458] Lyncombe St. Mark Parish (Bath), "Baptisms [1843-1865]," p. 194, entry no. 1550, James Biggs, 11 Sep 1864; imaged, "Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1914," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 23 Oct 2022), image 195-201; citing DPly/2/1/9 held by the Somerset Archives & Local Studies.
  11. [S2482] 1881 census of England, Wiltshire, Swindon, New Swindon, p. 9, John Biggs household; digital image, Findmypast (http://www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 29 Oct 2022); citing Class: RG11; Piece: 2020; Folio: 9; Page: 9; GSU roll: 1341487.
  12. [S2543] England, birth certificate for Ethel Mary Biggs, born 07 Nov 1892; citing 02a/106/37, Farnham registration district and Frimley subdistrict; General Registry Office, Southport.
  13. [S2556] War Office: UK and overseas garrisons: Registers of Baptisms Confirmations Deaths/Burials and Marriage - Iron Church (Aldershot), "Register of Baptisms [01 Jan 1889 - 31 Dec 1904]," p. 48, entry no. 384, Ethel Mary Biggs, 27 Dec 1892; imaged, "British Armed Forces And Overseas Births And Baptisms," database and images, FindMyPast (https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript : accessed 20 Nov 2022), image 54 of 208; citing WO 156/365 held by the National Archives of the UK.
  14. [S2646] England, birth certificate for James Miles Biggs, born 08 May 1894; citing 02a/117/185, Farnham registration district and Frimley subdistrict; General Registry Office, Southport.
  15. [S2557] War Office: UK and overseas garrisons: Registers of Baptisms Confirmations Deaths/Burials and Marriage - St. George's Church (Aldershot), "Register of Baptisms [01 Jan 1889 - 31 Dec 1904]," p. 64, entry no. 510, James Miles Biggs, 05 Jul 1894; imaged, "British Armed Forces And Overseas Births And Baptisms," database and images, FindMyPast (https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript : accessed 20 Nov 2022), image 70 of 208; citing WO 156/365 held by the National Archives of the UK.
  16. [S2547] 1901 census of England, Devonshire, Devonport, St. Aubyn, p. 5, Minnie Emily Biggs household; digital image, Findmypast (http://www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 16 Nov 2022); citing Class: RG13; Piece: 2108; Folio: 217; Page: 5.
  17. [S2545] War Office: UK and overseas garrisons, "Rinella military cemetery, Malta - Burials [08 Jan 1890 - 27 Jan 1908]," unpaginated, burial entry for James Miles Biggs, 28 Mar 1895; imaged, "UK, Military Records of Baptisms, Confirmations, Marriages and Burials, 1813-1957," database and images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/… : accessed 15 Nov 2022), image 20 of 46; citing WO 156/115 held by the National Archives of the UK.
  18. [S2650] James Biggs photograph, c. 1890-1895, privately held by Derek Caudwell, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE], 16 Jan 2023.
  19. [S2544] England, Army Register Book of Births, Baptisms and Marriages, birth certificate for Hilda Minnie Biggs, born 25 Apr 1895; citing 1895/p. 85, Malta registration district and subdistrict; General Registry Office, Southport.
  20. [S2558] War Office: UK and overseas garrisons: Registers of Baptisms Confirmations Deaths/Burials and Marriage: Garrison Church (Malta), "Register of Baptisms [01 Jan 1886 - 31 Dec 1898]," p. 71, entry 565, Hilda Minnie [transcribed as Mary] Biggs, 11 May 1895; imaged, "British Armed Forces And Overseas Births And Baptisms," database and images, FindMyPast (http://www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 20 Nov 2022), image 77 of 108; citing WO 156/597 held by the National Archives of the UK.
  21. [S2647] England, death certificate for Hilda Minnie Biggs, died 22Oct 1898; citing 02b/364/430, Fareham registration district; General Registry Office, Southport.
  22. [S2546] England, birth certificate for Archibald Alick Biggs, born 31 Jan 1897; citing 06a/417/265, Cheltenham registration district; General Registry Office, Southport.
  23. [S2554] All Saints Parish (Cheltenham), "Register of Baptisms [1895-1905]," p. 14, entry no. 111, Archibald Alec Biggs, 22 Feb 1897; imaged, "Gloucestershire, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1913," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 20 Nov 2022), image 20 of 112; citing P78/2/IN/1/4 held by the Gloucestershire Archives.
  24. [S2559] Christchurch (Portsdown), "Baptisms & Burials [1871-1929]," p. 14, entry no. 108, Hilda Minnie Biggs, 24 Oct 1898; imaged, "Hampshire, Portsmouth Burials," database and images, FindMyPast (https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript : accessed 20 Nov 2022), image 62 of 95; citing CHU 35/1A/1 held by the Portsmouth History Centre.
  25. [S2551] National Archives of the UK, War Office: Campaign Medal and Award Rolls (General Series), "Highland Light Infantry [1899-1902]," p. 18 (bottom right corner), entry for Color Sergeant J. Biggs, regimental no. 1570; images only, The National Archives (https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/… : accessed 19 Nov 2022), PDF file WO-100-202_1.pdf, page 19 of 115; citing WO 100/202.
  26. [S2548] England, birth certificate for Jessie Marguerite Biggs, born 13 Feb 1902; citing 08b/627/168, West Derby registration district and West Derby Western subdistrict; General Registry Office, Southport.
  27. [S2555] St. Mary's Church (Edge Hill), "Baptismal Register [11 Nov 1860 - 31 Dec 1916]," p. 396, entry no. 3161, Jessie Marguerite Biggs, 09 Mar 1902; imaged, "Liverpool, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1919," database and images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/… : accessed 20 Nov 2022), image 203 of 212; citing 283 EDG/2/3 held by the Liverpool Record Office.
  28. [S2550] Royal Hospital Chelsea, "Length of Service Pensions, Admission Books," unpaginated, Chelsea no. 53871, James Biggs, discharged 07 Nov 1904; imaged, "UK, Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioner Admission and Discharge Records, 1715-1925," database and images, Fold3 (https://www.fold3.com/image/581916256 : accessed 18 Nov 2022), image 267; citing WO 117/58 held by the National Archives of the UK.
  29. [S2560] London County Council: Parliamentary Electoral Returns: Holburn, "Register of Electors [1925]," South-East St. Andrew Ward (Part), Polling District H. E., p. 32, James Biggs, 48-49 Duncan Buildings; imaged, "London, England, Electoral Registers, 1832-1965," database and images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/… : accessed 20 Nov 2022), image 293 of 348; citing LCC/PER/B/1791 held by the London Metropolitan Archives.
  30. [S2561] London County Council: Parliamentary Electoral Returns: Hampstead and Holborn, "Register of Electors [1918]," Polling District of East St. Andrew (HE), p. 15, James Biggs, 49 Duncan Buildings; imaged, "London, England, Electoral Registers, 1832-1965," database and images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/… : accessed 20 Nov 2022), image 590 of 633; citing LCC/PER/B/1559 held by the London Metropolitan Archives.
  31. [S2562] County of Hertford: Hertford Parliamentary Division, "Register of Electors, 1927," Polling District of Great Amwell, p. 2, James Biggs, Ware Road, Hailey; imaged, "England & Wales, Electoral Registers 1910-1932," database and images, FindMyPast (https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript : accessed 20 Nov 2022), image 356 of 834; citing SPR.Mic.P.16/BL.H.56 held by the British Library.