Edmund Clifford BRIGGS

14 July 1916

BRIGGS - Killed in action in France, Corporal E. C. Briggs, 6th West Riding Regiment, eldest son of Quartermaster-Sergeant A. C. Briggs, 22, Ermysted Street, Skipton.

14 July 1916

POPULAR WITH EVERYONE - SKIPTON CORPORAL GOES UNDER

The sad news reached Skipton on Saturday that Corporal E.C. Briggs, the eldest son of Regimental Quarter-Master-Sergeant A.C. Briggs, of 22, Ermysted Street, had been killed in action. Only 19 years of age, deceased was a weaver at Embsay Mill prior to the war and went out to the Front with the 6th West Riding Regiment (Territorials) in April of last year. He was at home on a brief leave last October.

Writing to Mrs. Briggs, the Captain of deceased's Regiment says:- "Dear Mrs. Briggs, It is with deep regret that I have to inform you of the death of your son, Corporal Briggs, who was hit by the fragment of a high explosive shell, death being instantaneous. His loss is a very deep blow to me. He had always done his duty well and cheerfully and was very popular with everyone. I sincerely trust that the knowledge that he died whilst serving his King and Country may be some consolation to you in your bereavement."

Deceased's father is an old soldier and served in the South African campaign with the York and Lancaster Regiment. He is now on home service with the 6th West Riding Territorials.

04 August 1916

THE LATE CORPORAL E. C. BRIGGS

Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant A C. Briggs of 22, Ermysted Street, Skipton, has received several letters of sympathy in connection with the death of his son, Corporal E. C. Briggs, of the 1/6th West Riding Regiment which was reported in our columns of July 14th last.

Lieutenant J. Hunter Ward writes:- "I should like to let you know how much I appreciated your son. I have only recently taken charge of the section belonging to the 6th Battalion, but one need not be working long with men like your son to find their true worth. He was always ready to do everything that was asked of him, and kept cheerful and also kept the men about him cheerful - even in the most depressing circumstances. He was wounded on the morning of the 3rd July, and was properly buried in a quiet little valley, his grave being marked and a record kept of the place.

From a letter written by Lieutenant Ralph M. Robinson we take the following:- "I do want you to know how grieved I was to hear of your son's death and how deeply I sympathise with you and your family in your great loss. He was, I think, the first man I recommended for promotion after I took over the command of our old Machine Gun Section eighteen months' ago, and I never met a more trustworthy and reliable non-commissioned officer. I have constantly seen your son lately, and he was looking very well and cheerful a few days before his death. I was just in front of him when the shell came, and fragments of it wounded our doctor and several of the Keighley Company."

Sergeant Fred Stork, whose death in action is reported in our columns this week, was a great pal of Corporal Briggs, and he has written a touching letter to Mrs. Briggs, in which the following occurs:- "I am trying for the section to send you an expression of our sympathy. We have not been quite able to realise that he as gone, although we miss him at every turn. He was just as good a soldier as he was a son, and in saying this I can pay him no warmer tribute. He possessed a very steady nerve and cool head, which made him a very valuable soldier. He lived a straight and manly life and never knew the meaning of fear, and as he lived so he died - calm and peaceful. His sterling qualities always stood out as an example to the men, and in losing him we have lost an N.C.O who we can never replace. It is very difficult to try and put sympathy into words, but I hope that in these few lines you will find comfort and be always remembering that it was God who gave and God who has taken away. Ted and I were like brothers, and I can understand a little of how you feel."

06 July 1917

BRIGGS - In proud and loving memory of our dear son, Corporal Edmund Clifford, killed in action July 3rd 1916, aged 19 years.

From Mother, Father, Sisters.

"He nobly did his duty."

05 July 1918

BRIGGS - In loving memory of my dear son, Corporal Edmund Briggs, killed in action July 3rd, 1916, son of the late R.Q.M.S. Briggs.

"He laid his richest gift on the altar of duty - his life."

09 July 1920

BRIGGS and BURGESS - In loving memory of our dear chums, Corporal Ted Briggs, and Private Willie Burgess, of the 1st 6th Duke of Wellington's Regiment, who gave their lives on the Somme, July 3rd, 1916.

Years may wipe out many things,
But this they wipe out never;
Memories of the good old times
When we were all chums together.

From Jimmie, Charlie, Dick and Arthur.

16 July 1920

MASON - In loving memory of my dear husband, Sapper George Harrison Mason, who died of wounds received in action 18th July, 1918; also of my dearest brother, Corporal Ted Briggs, killed in action July 5th, 1916.

"A day of remembrance sad to recall."

From his Wife, 22 Ermysted Street, Skipton.