Hi,

This man doesn't appear to be on CWGC -

MIC
L/Sgt. 474 Martin Higgins,
Connaught Rangers,
KIA
2 Balkans
Entry 21-7-15

SDGW
Name: Martin Higgins
Birth Place: Ballinasloe, CO. Galway
Residence: Clydebank
Death Date: 11 Aug 1915
Enlistment Location: Belfast
Rank: L/Sergeant
Regiment: Connaught Rangers
Battalion: 5th Battalion.
Number: 474
Type of Casualty: Killed in action


5th Bn was at Gallipoli and on night of 10/11 Aug 1915 the War Diary has -

9 PM ....."C" and "D" Coys were ordered to take up a position about 400 yds S.W. of 39th Bde Headquarters on a ridge running at right angles to the AGHYL DERE gully. This gully was swept by hostile machine gun fire, & was full of dead and wounded, & "C" Coy had much difficulty in carrying out their entrenchment. The line was, however, held throughout the night. Total casualties, four Officers wounded. Rank & File three killed, twenty nine wounded.

On the day of the 11th August, in spite of terrible conditions and an advance on the enemy by 2 coys, there is no mention of any men killed so I am assuming that Martin Higgins was one of the three mentioned on the night 10/11th. SDGW has 5 casualties for the 11th, 2 Died of Wounds and 3 KIA.

I'm using the Ancestry version of SDGW so could someone verify the details please?

So far I haven't found any service records on ancestry.

My research of this man is at a very early stage but if he is indeed a case of non-commemoration I would like the forums advice on what I will need and how to proceed.

John

John

All you need is his death certificate which is available from GRO Overseas Section under Reference No. I.77.188.

The In From The Cold Project is searching that part of the alphabet as we speak and so it should pick up this missing man.

You can either leave it to IFCP or obtain the certificate yourself (£7). If you get the certificate, you can either submit the case to CWGC/MoD yourself or I am happy to do it for you through the established system. If you wish to do the latter, send me a PM.

Well spotted.

From FMP SDGW:

Regiment, Corps etc.: Connaught Rangers
Battalion etc.: 5th Battalion.

Formed in Dublin Aug. 1914-K1-Sept. to Kilworth in 29th Bde. 10th Div. Oct. 1914 Dublin. Jan. 1915 the Curragh. May 1915 to England at Hackwood Park, Basingstoke. 9.7.15 embarked at Devonport and arrived Mudros about 25 July. 5.8.15 laded at Anzac (29th Bde. was attached to Australian & N.Z. Corps). 30.9.15 Mudros. 5.10.15 embarked for Salonika. Sept. 1917 to Egypt. April 1918 left 10th Div. and went to France, arriving Marseilles 1 June. 7 to 28 June 14th Div. 22.7.18 to 197th Bde. 66th Div. at Serqueux. 25.8.18 to 199th Bde. 66th Div. 11.11.18 199th Bde. 66th Div. France; near Sivry, east of Avesnes.

Last name: Higgins
First name(s): Martin
Initials: M
Birthplace: Ballinasloe, Co. Galway
Enlisted: Clydebank
Residence: Belfast
Rank: L/SGT
Number: 474
Date died: 11 August 1915
How died: Killed in action
Theatre of war: Gallipoli

The Enlistment and Residence locations are back to front to your version (from Find My Past)

Hope this helps, good luck and well done

Grant

Terry/Grant,

Thanks very much for your help and advice. My Great Grandfather Tom Kilcoyne served in the same Bn. so I would like to submit the case myself. I will keep you up to date on progress.
Cheers.

John

Just received from CWGC -

"Ref: L/Sgt Martin Higgins

I am writing further to my email dated 9 June 2009 regarding the non commemoration by the Commission of Lance Sergeant Martin Higgins.

You will be pleased to hear that the Ministry of Defence has now approved his commemoration.

Arrangements are in hand to engrave his name to the Helles Memorial and I will let you know when this has taken place, although I should point out that this will take several months to take place.

We are grateful to you for bringing this gentleman to our attention and your interest in the Commission."

John

Excellent news John. Well done.

Well done!

Cheers everyone. Great to see Martin Higgins commemorated at last.

Name: HIGGINS, MARTIN
Initials: M
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lance Serjeant
Regiment/Service: Connaught Rangers
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Age: 27
Date of Death: 11/08/1915
Service No: 474
N.B.: This casualty has recently been accepted for commemoration by the Commission. However, it will not be possible to add his name to this Memorial immediately. Please contact the Commission before planning a visit, for more information.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Addenda Panel
Memorial: HELLES MEMORIAL

Hopefully next years summer holiday I will be able to visit.

Also see this post -

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/i...howtopic=136071

Well done to all at IFCP. Keep up the great work.

John