Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A good Great War ‘Battle of Canal du Nord - capture of Sauchy L’Estree’ D.C.M. group of three to Corporal W. Higgins, 2nd (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), who, leading a party of four men managed to capture an officer, 29 other ranks, four machine guns, and bomb out a party of snipers - shooting the last himself at point blank range

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (282040 Cpl. W. Higgins. 2/Lond: R.); British War and Victory Medals (4796 Cpl. W. Higgins. 4-Lond. R.) contact marks overall, therefore good fine or better (3) £700-£900

D.C.M. London Gazette 18 February 1919:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and good leadership near Sauchy L’Estree, on 27th September 1918. In charge of a party of four men he captured an officer and 29 other ranks with four machine guns. He then bombed a party of snipers who were causing casualties, shooting the remaining sniper himself from point-blank range.’

William Higgins was a native of Barnsbury, and initially served during the Great War with the 4th (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers). He subsequently transferred to the 2nd Battalion, and was serving with them as part of the 56th (London) Division when it captured Sauchy L’Estree during the Battle of the Canal du Nord, 27 September 1918:

‘Slowly but surely all opposition was overcome, except in the case of a machine-gun nest, which, situated in a trench some 300 yards from the northern point of Cemetery Wood, put up a splendid resistance. This gun covered the whole of the northern face of the wood by its fire; and No. 2 Platoon, in attempting to push out a post along a trench running north-east from the wood, sustained several casualties. The post was later established under cover of darkness by Corpl. Higgins, who captured 30 prisoners and 4 machine guns in the trench in question. Nos. 1 and 3 Platoons (2nd Lieut. Davis) made four unsuccessful attempts to capture the enemy’s machine gun, and in their endeavours lost Sergts. Stevens and Cann and Corpl. Brazier. A fifth attack was delivered in the gathering dusk and was rewarded with ultimate success. One German gallantry fought the gun to the last and was captured with it.’ (The 2nd City of London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) in the Great War (1914-19) by Major W. E. Grey refers)

Higgins was discharged 15 April 1919 (entitled to a Silver War Badge).