200076 Pte William Higgins, 1/4th Bn, Somerset Light Infantry

738 British soldiers died on this day in 1916 and 200076 William Higgins of the 1/4th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry was one of these men. He died in operations in Mesopotamia and has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Basra Memorial in Iraq.

On the day that he died - 15th November 1916 - it would appear that he was reported as missing. The six digit number that is associated with him was not actually issued until 1917 when the Territorial Force was re-numbered. Men who were, at that point in time, still officially listed as missing and not confirmed as killed, were allocated a six digit number in case they were subsequently found to have been taken prisoner. William though, according to his medal index card, had died of disease and his grave presumably subsequently lost.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission notes that he was 28 years old, the son of the late John and Elizabeth Higgins. He was born in Shepton Mallett. William Higgins's original four digit number - 1358 - indicates that he originally joined the 4th (Territorial Force Battalion) of the Somerset Light Infantry in late September or early October 1910.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry.co.uk (MIC)
Army Ancestry
Army Service Numbers 1881-1918
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Soldiers Died in The Great War