John Francis Kiggins

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Wed, 29/07/2015 - 14:24

First Name:

John

Middle Name:

Francis

Last Name:

Kiggins

Mother's Name:

Dolly Kiggins

Father's Name:

Thomas Kiggins

Date Enlisted:

Monday, January 17, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Driver

Unit:

8th Field Artillery

Service:

Artillery

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Tuesday, January 14, 1919

Place of Death:

France

Cause of Death:

Illness (caused by gas attack)

Details:

John Kiggins was born in Woonona, NSW, in 1899 and at the time of enlistment was a single 19 year old publisher. He embarked on HMAT A30 Borda on 5th June 1916 with Field Artillery Brigade 11, 3rd Reinforcements .

He was appointed driver on 1st April 1916 and after training in England arrived in France on 24th November 1916. He transferred to 8th Field Artillery on 7th September 1917 and saw service on the Western Front. He was wounded in action on 21st April 1918 and was admitted to hospital for treatment after a gas attack. He survived the war but on 11th January 1919 he was admitted to 5th Casualty Clearing Station in France with Pneumonia.

He died from this on 14th January 1919. The Doctors note stated the gas attack had been a direct cause. He is buried in Hautmont Communal Cemetery Plot IV, Row C, Grave 1.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, KIGGINS JOHN FRANCIS