Wiliam Higgins**

Rank:	Private
Street:
Townland:
Town/Village:	Newtownforbes
Civil Parish:	Lisbrack
Catholic Parish:	Lisbrack
Country:
Alternative Address:	Cloonellen; New Monk, Ardrie, Lanarkshire
Census 1901:
Census 1911:
Regiment/Unit:	Scots Guards, 3rd Battalion; [1st Battalion]
Regiment Number:	10217; [1045]
Date of Death:	03-05-1917
Cause:	Tuberculosis
Memorial:	Unknown
Information:	It is believed that William was born in Newtownforbes, in c.1875, however by 1896 he was resident in Airdrie Lanarkshire, Scotland, where he enlisted in the Scots Guards in May of that year. William initially served with the 1st Scots Guards, being transferred to the reserved in 1899, before being mobilised for the 2nd Boer War in South Africa in February 1900, serving there for six months between January to July 1902. He received the South Africa medal along with the Cape Colony and Orange Free State clasps. William completed his service in 1908. He enlisted for service in the Great War in September 1914, serving in both the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, including in France/Belgium between November 1914 and October 1915, before being transferred to Home (Britain and Ireland) service. He was, however, discharged in March 1916 on health grounds. His brother, Patrick, was listed as his next-of-kin. William died of phthisis (tuberculosis) in May 1917 at the workhouse in Longford.
Parents Names:	Son of Mary Higgins, Newtownforbes.
Notes:	William's army file shows that he was quite tall for the time, standing at 5' 11" in height. Ireland's Great War Dead database entry: Serial No: 10217 Unit: 3rd Battalion Born: Newtownforbes, County Longford-WW1 service records, New Monk, Ardrie, Lanarkshire-1896 military records. Enlisted: 09/05/1896 at Hamilton, Lanarkshire. Re-enlisted at Blackburn, on 09/09/1914. Next of Kin: A single man. Son of Mary Heffernan, Newtown Forbes, County Longford. Brother of Patrick Higgins, Newtown Forbes, Longford, Ireland. Grave or Memorial: Notes: His 1914 Star medal was received on his behalf by Thomsa Higgins, Cloonallen (Clonellan), Drumlish P.O., County Longford on 17/09/1919. William is listed as 'D' Higgins in this sheet. Formerly served with the 1st Battalion, Scots Guards under service number 1045 until 1908. Newspapers Books etc:
Links:	link to Civil Register of Death (ensure address ends in .pdf); Pension & personnel file, British National Archives via Ancestry (paid site)