Main CPGW Record
Surname: WIGGAN
Forename(s): John
Place of Birth: Skipton, Yorkshire
Service No: 1263
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 1/6th Battalion
Division: 49th (West Riding) Division
Age: ---
Date of Death: 1915-07-18
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 20.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
John Wiggan was the son of Stephen and Patience Wiggan, née Tattersall. Stephen was born at Burnley, Lancashire and Patience at Linton-in-Craven, Yorkshire. John was related to Private Harry Wiggan (28743) (q.v.) and Private Willie Wiggan (41660) (q.v.).
1901 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 28, Rowland Street - John Wiggan, aged 8 years, born Skipton, son of Stephen and Patience Wiggan.
1911 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 28, Rowland Street - John Wiggan, aged 18 years, born Skipton, son of Stephen and Patience Wiggan.
The British Army Service Record for John Wiggan exists but may be incomplete.
John is listed in the Nominal Roll of the 1/6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment): Pte J. Wiggan.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte John Wiggan, 1263, W. Rid. R. Theatre of War first served in: (1) France. Date of entry therein: 14.4.15. K. in A. 18.7.15. Oi/c Recs. York, requests instructions to dispose of medals at 19.2.21. Oi/c Recs. York, requests instructions to dispose of medals at 15.8.21.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte John Wiggan, 6/1263, 1/6 W. Rid. R. K. in A. 18.7.15.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte John Wiggan, 1263, 1/6th Bn W. Riding Regt. Date and Place of Death: 18.7.15. In action. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Father - Stephen. £5 13s. 5d. War Gratuity: Mother - Patience Wiggan. £3 0s. 0d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for John. Name(s) on card(s): Dependant: Mrs Patience Wiggan. Relationship: Mother. Address: 28, Rowland Street, Skipton.
See also: ‘Guiseley Terriers: A Small Part in The Great War – A History of the 1/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment’ by Stephen Barber (2018).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
WIGGAN, John, 6th Duke of Wellington’s, 23, Rowland Street, [Skipton], killed in action in France July 18, 1915.
---
Click the thumbnail below to view a larger image.
Private John WIGGAN
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 49th (West Riding) Division
---
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
23 July 1915
CRAVEN AND THE WAR
THE 6TH WEST RIDINGS IN ACTION
It became generally known in Skipton and district yesterday that the 6th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regiment had, during the previous week, sustained a number of casualties. So far as can be ascertained, two Skipton men–Ptes. S. Bishop and John Wiggan–had been killed and others are in hospital wounded.
PRIVATES BISHOP AND WIGGAN KILLED
The first intimation of the death of Private Bishop was conveyed to his wife by a letter received by the deceased's brother from a Skipton soldier named Private Harry Ingham. The communication states:– "Stephen Bishop got killed yesterday and you never know when your turn is going to come. It was done by a bomb in the trenches, only 15 yards from the enemy.”
Confirmation of this was forthcoming yesterday when Mrs. Bishop received the following letter from Major C. M. Bateman:– “I very much regret to inform you that your husband, Private Stephen Bishop, was killed in action on July 18th whilst doing his duty in the trenches. I very much regret his death and all his comrades miss him very much. He was always cheery and bright in spite of all risks and trying circumstances.”
Private Bishop, who was 37 years of age, was well known and very popular in Skipton. He was formerly employed at Messrs. Wilkinsons’ Park Shed, and was for many years a very useful member of the Skipton Rugby Football team. He was a forward of more than average ability, and figured conspicuously in several cup contests including the memorable final with Otley at Ilkley three seasons ago. Private Bishop leaves a widow and one child. He joined the 1st 6th Battalion in September last.
KILLED IN THE TRENCHES
News of the death of Private Wiggan was also received yesterday morning by his parents, who reside at 28, Rowland Street, Skipton. As in the case of Private Bishop the official news came from Major Bateman, who states:– “I very much regret to inform you that your son, Private J. Wiggan, was killed in action on July 18th whilst carrying out his duties in the trenches. I have always found him a very good and willing worker, and must offer you my deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement.”
The deceased soldier, who was only 22 years of age, had been a member of the 1st 6th Battalion for about six years, and prior to the war worked at Wilkinson’s, Park Shed. He was well-known, and highly esteemed by all whom he came in contact with.
A WOUND IN THE CHIN
Private Herbert Reed, of the 1st 6th Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, in a letter to his wife at 18, Alexandra View, Keighley Road, Skipton, conveys the news that he has been wounded on the chin. He says:–“I think you will be surprised to hear that I got wounded on the 18th, but the wound was only a slight one on the chin. I am now in hospital and hope to be discharged soon. John Wiggan and Stephen Bishop were both killed outright at the same time.”
30 July 1915
FOR KING & COUNTRY
Above we reproduce photographs of Privates Wiggan and Bishop of the First 6th Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment, who were killed on Sunday, July 18th, by a trench mortar.
The parents of Private Wiggan, who reside at 28, Rowland Street, Skipton, received on Sunday the following letter from Corporal E. Friend, of the First 6th Duke of Wellington's Regiment:– “Just a line or two to let you know the sad news of your son John. With being his sectional commander I think it my duty to send you an account of his death. At the time he was speaking to Private Bishop, who is well known in Skipton as an old footballer. They both passed away at the same time into the next world, where there is no war raging. They were both killed by the same missile. John was one of the liveliest fellows in the platoon, and everyone was sorry to hear of his sad end. All the fellows in the platoon send their deepest sympathy. He was killed about 1 p.m.”
During the last week Mrs. Bishop has received the following letter:– “Dear Mrs. Bishop, – Just a line or two expressing my deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement. It may be some satisfaction to you to know that he met his death without pain, as it was almost instantaneous. Steve was in my section and we always got on well together. In fact I might say that he was the most popular man in the platoon, and it cast over all of us a gloom when he passed away. The whole company wish me to express their sorrow.”
"Yours sincerely, Arthur Cutler (Sergt.)"
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
23 July 1915
PRIVATE JOHN WIGGAN KILLED IN ACTION
Mr. Stephen Wiggan of 28 Rowland Street, Skipton, received the sad news on Thursday morning that his son, Private John Wiggan, of the 6th West Riding (Duke of Wellington’s) Regiment, had been killed in action at the Front. The news was received in a letter written by Major Charles A. Bateman, officer commanding ‘A’ Company, to which Private Wiggan was attached, and which was as follows:– “I very much regret to inform you that your son, No. 1263, was killed in action on July 18th, while carrying out his duty in the trenches. I have always found him a very good, willing worker, and must offer you my deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement. All his personal belongings will be forwarded by the authorities in due course.”
Private Wiggan has been a Territorial for about six years, and before hostilities commenced he was employed at the Park Shed.
03 September 1915
THE LATE PRIVATE JOHN WIGGAN OF SKIPTON
Interesting Letter Written Shortly Before his Death
The following letter, which has just been received by us, was written by the late Private John Wiggan, of the 6th West Riding (Duke of Wellington’s) Regiment, and son of Mr. Stephen Wiggan, 28 Rowland Street, Skipton, shortly before he was killed in action in France on July 18th:– “I expect everything passed off the same as usual on Whit-Monday. I should have liked to have been at Skipton, but it had not to be, so I made myself at home in the trenches. We are all picturing the scholars, in our mind’s eye, singing in Caroline Square, and were thinking what a pleasant sight it would be. I think the majority of the lads out here will value their Sunday schools and their homes more than they have ever done before if they ever get back to the old country again. I know coming out here has learned me a lesson which I do not think I shall ever forget. I am glad I have volunteered to do my bit. It makes one’s blood boil to see what have once been happy homes like ours, smashed and broken beyond all description, and the poor peasants put to flight. You might have thought when you read about the German artillery making a special target of the churches and the homes of innocent people that the stories in the papers were exaggerated, but you can take it from me that they are only too true. I was longing to come out here to see what it was like, and now that I have had my first experience, I do not care how soon it is before I am home again, but while I am here I will do my best. You have often tried to convince me that there is a God, and, if ever I had any doubts, I am convinced now that there is one, but to see all the suffering that abounds on all sides, makes one ask the question, ‘How can He stand aside and see all this – shall I say murder, which, in my opinion, is too good a name for it – going on as it is doing?’ Well, after six weeks’ of living on foreign soil, if ever I get back to Yorkshire, in dear old England, I shall never leave the country again. The French have suffered terribly all round here, and it will take some of the farmers a few years to get everything into working order again. I have not seen any Primitive Methodist chapels out here, they all seem to be Catholic places of worship. About every mile or two on the roadside there are small buildings which will just about hold two persons, and inside each is an altar. Some of these have been shelled, but it is rather remarkable that I have not come across one yet where the crucifix has been disturbed. In some cases the places have been shattered and nothing left standing, but the crucifix.
“Well, I have taken no fault so far, and I have got about used to trench life. We have got to keep our heads down in the daytime. The Germans are crafty, and shoot out of loopholes at the bottom of the parapet. I have not seen a single German’s head all the fourteen days I have been in the trenches. Keep your pluck up, I am in the pink of condition.”
A short time after writing the above Private Wiggan was killed.
24 December 1915
CRAVEN’S ROLL OF HONOUR – SKIPTON
Pte. John Wiggan, 6th West Riding (Duke of Wellington’s) Regiment, killed in action in France on July 18th. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Wiggan, of 28 Rowland Street, Skipton. Before the war was employed at Park Shed, Skipton, and had been a Territorial for about six years.
21 July 1916
In loving memory of Pte. John Wiggan, who was killed in action July 18th 1915.
A devoted son, a faithful friend,
One of the best that God could lend;
He bravely answered duty’s call,
His life he gave for one and all,
But the unknown grave is the bitterest blow,
None but an aching heart can know.
From Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters.
28 Rowland Street, Middletown, Skipton.
20 July 1917
In ever loving memory of our dear son, Private John Wiggan, killed in action July 18th, 1916 [1915].
No mother’s care did him attend,
Nor did him o’er a father bend;
No sister or brother by to shed a tear,
Only a comrade his last words to hear.
– From Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters. 28, Rowland Street, Middletown, Skipton.
Comment on this Soldier Record
You can leave comments on this soldier record. Please note all comments will be manually approved before they appear on the website.
No comments yet.