Major Bernard George Dawson Biggs, 5th Bn, Durham Light Infantry

Major Bernard George Dawson Biggs of the 5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, died in England on the 1st December 1916. He was the husband of Anne Isabella Biggs of 1 Flora Avenue, Darlington, and he is buried in Darlington West Cemetery.

Bernard had served overseas, arriving in France with the 5th DLI on 18th April 1915. He possibly died of wounds in the UK, or of sickness. His service record probably survives in one of the series for WW1 officers but until I see these, the circumstances of his death will be a mystery to me.

George was probably about 48 years old when he died. He was born in Lichfield, Staffordshire and appears on the 1901 census at 2 Cleveland Terrace, Darlington as (what looks like) a 32 year old bookseller and printer. He was also probably quite well off as he is noted as an employer. His wife Anne, was 44 years old in 1901 and the only other person noted for their household is Annie Brown, a 24 year old domestic servant. Ten years earlier, still living in Darlington, George appears as a 22 year old bookseller's assistant.

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

Sources:

Ancestry.co.uk (MIC, 1891 and 1901 Census)
Army Ancestry
Army Service Numbers 1881-1918
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Soldiers Died in The Great War