James Ernest Biggers

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Sat, 05/03/2016 - 11:36
First Name: 
James
Middle Name: 
Ernest
Last Name: 
Biggers
Mother's Name: 
Elizabeth Biggers nee Bartholomew
Father's Name: 
Frederick Biggers
Date Enlisted: 
Friday, June 18, 1915
Rank at Enlistment: 
Private
Rank at Discharge: 
Private
Unit: 
2nd Pioneer Battalion
Company: 
A
Service: 
Infantry
Awards: 
1914/1915 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Place of Death: 
Newcastle, N.S.W.
Details: 

James Biggers (Service No 2355) was born in Orange, N.S.W. around 1883.  The family moved to Mount Kembla, N.S.W. soon after.

When James enlisted at the age of 32, he was single and worked as a miner.  James next of kin was who mother who lived at Mount Kembla.

He embarked on HMAT A32 Themistocles with 5th Reinforcements, 19th Battalion on 5th October 1915.  After arriving in Egypt he was transferred to 2nd Pioneer Battalion on 9th March 1916 and travelled with them to France on 23rd March 1916.

James saw service on the Western Front with A Company, 2nd Pioneers until 22nd September 1916 when he was admitted to hospital in Belgium sick.  James did not return to his unit until 6th November 1916.  Soon after, on 27th November 1916, he was evacuated to hospital in England for treatment of gastric ulcers, returning to France on 1st January 1918.

On 25th March 1918 James was working with 184 Tunnel Company when James was gassed.  He was evacuated to hospital in England for treatment and saw no further active service.

James returned to Australia in July 1919 and was discharged medically unfit on 1st November 1919.

He died in Newcastle, N.S.W. in 1960.

Sources: 
NAA: B2455, BIGGERS J E