Theatre

Action/Battle/Other

Second Battle of Ypres 

Place of Death

St. Julien

Medals

Medal Citation (if app)

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Enlisted Date/Place

Aug 1914 (or before) at Warwick

Previous Regiments/Units

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Circumstances Leading to Death (Normally from War Diary)

Just after midnight on the 25th the 1st Battalion left Ypres and made their way NE to Wieltje (spelt Vielje in the war diary) where they received orders to attack German positions and they went forward in support of the Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders and attacked the wood to the left of the line while the Seaforth Highlanders, Royal Irish and Royal Dublin Fusiliers attacked the St. Julien to the left. However progress was held up as the supporting artillery barrarge was insufficient and the attack was stopped and the battalion dug in and consolidated any gains made. The attack came at huge cost of 517 men killed, wounded or missing however Arthur survived this day only to be killed then next day when their lines were under constant bombardment. See also 2nd Lt Ronald Francis Hunt who was killed on the 25th.

The Second Battle of Ypres saw the first mass use of poison gas by the German army who fired Chlorine gas shells at British lines who no effective protection and led to the infamous order that troops should urinate into their underpants and breathe through them as urine contains chemicals that can counter the effects of chlorine. This ultimately led to the production of more effective gasmasks.

St Julian area map	Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial	Urine soaked clothes in use

Birth Date & Place

Baptism Date & Place

Parents

Isaac and Alice Higgerson

Wife & Marriage

Children

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Occupation(s)

1911 - Career Soldier?

Schools & Colleges

Address History

• 1901 - Henley Road, Budbrooke
• 1911 - India with Royal Warwickshire Regiment ??
• 1915 - Thatched Cottage, Hampton on the Hill

Other Information

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