Frederick James PIGGIN

Private Frederick James PIGGIN No. 24892 Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Died 10 January 1918.

Some notes from what remains of both sets of his army records.

On 25 August 1914 he joined up aged 21 years and 60 days, occupation, potter, and residing at 49 Rose Street, Northwood, Stoke on Trent. He was posted as Private 14221 to the North Staffordshire Regiment Depot at Lichfield, then to the 3rd Battalion 3 September 1914. He was stationed at Crown Hill (or Crownhill) Barracks, Plymouth (Renamed in the 1930’s as Plumer Barracks)

Notes from his conduct sheet -

21 September 1914 at Crown Hill he was found by Corporal Griffiths to be absent from reveille at 9-30 pm. He was charged and on Orders the following day in front of Major Falla who gave him one day loss of pay.

Still at Crown Hill, he was charged by C.S.M. Walker with being drunk and creating a disturbance in the barrack room about 11-15 pm on 26 September 1914. He was on Commanding Officers Order and in front of Lt Col, Tames who gave him 10 days confined to barracks (10.CB)

At Devonport 23 October 1914 he was absent from tattoo until 9 pm and on 24 October was charged by Sergeant Gerraghty. Also absent from tattoo roll call till 9 pm on 3 January 15 (23 hrs and 30 minutes) charged Corporal Elkin. Both charged were heard by Major Tunnicliffe in the 3 January 1915 who gave him 7 day confined to barracks.

At Devonport he was charged for neglect of duties whilst Orderly Man on 13 February 1915. He was charged by Sergeant Hand and was on C.O’s Orders in front of Lt Col James on 15 February 1915, who gave him 7 days confined to barracks. He was discharged from the army at Devonport on 24 February 1915. Not likely to become an efficient soldier. Para 392 (III)(CC) King’s Regulation. Authority S.W.C Defences No8991 dated 26 January 1915.

He rejoined 19 March 1915 aged 22 years and 9 months and was posted to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers Depot, Wrexham as private 24892. His occupation, labourer, residing at 49 Rose Street, Northwood, Stoke on Trent. His father James was his next of kin and he resided at 49 Rose Street. On 29 March 1915 he was posted to the 9th Battalion and embarked for France 19 July 1915 and returned to England 6 January 1916. In May 1916 he suffered from melancholia (severe depression) and was described as suicidal, dangerous.

He was was a Medical Board 3 August 1916. His complaint originated 26 May 1916 at Kinmel Park in Bodelwyddan, near Abergele, north Wale (The place of the 4 and 5 March 1919 mutiny) He was admitted to hospital from a self-inflicted wound of throat. He suffers from melancholia and confusion of ideas, decidedly dangerous to himself. Aotric 2nd sound replaced by purring murmur. His complaint was not the result of but aggravated by military service. Permanent, total incapacity.

He was discharged on the 18 August 1916 as being no longer physically fit for was service. He served 1 year and 157 days.

At rest at Hanley Stoke-on-Trent Cemetery, Staffordshire.