William Frederick Biggs was born in 1891 to William and Annie Biggs. William was the second oldest of four children. The family lived together at 22 Cleveland Road, South Woodford
By 1911, William was working as an upholsterer’s clerk. His father, William, was a manufacturer’s agent. William joined the 75th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, where he became an Air Mechanic (Second Class). William died on 29th November 1916 in Woodham Mortimer, Essex.
Research by Redbridge Museum
Sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Ancestry.com
Further research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Born in Tottenham, the son of William Alfred (Manufacturer’s Agent - upholstery and trimmings) and Annie Biggs. 1901: The family was at Fair-Oak, Old Green Dragon Lane, Enfield. 1911: A 19 year old clerk in an upholstery and trimmings business, living with his family at 22 Cleveland Road, South Woodford.
He was serving with 75 Squadron, which was formed at Goldington Bedfordshire on 01-10-16. On Wednesday 29-11-16 he was in Woodham Mortimer Essex, where “The Grange” provided the Headquarters for 37 Squadron. They flew from the nearby Stow Maries airfield which still exists.
During that evening Biggs was accidentally killed at Woodham Mortimer. He was lighting the rear lamp of an army lorry when another, about 3-4 yards away, began rolling forward because the handbrake had not been firmly applied. His head was crushed between the two vehicles causing fatal laceration of the skull and compression of the brain. He is recorded as having previously served in Gallipoli, and had volunteered for the Royal Naval Armoured Car Division in 1914.
He is also commemorated on the Wanstead War Memorial.
Sources:
Ancestry.com
Woodford Times