BIGGAR Bertie Clark

Bertie Biggar enlisted as a Captain in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 16th January 1917.  On his attestation paper he stated he was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on 15th September 1887 and was resident as an Army Officer in the 7th Fusiliers at the Officers Hospital, Marlboro Buildings, Bath.  He gave his next of kin as his wife Mary Biggar, Orchard House, Kinnersley, Severn Stoke, Worcestershire.

National Archives of Canada Reference:
RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 722 – 11

Bertie Biggar was 9 years old when he entered King Edward VI Grammar School on 18th January 1897.  At the time of his admission to the school his parent is recorded as Jessie Biggar and the family resided at 33 Bowling Green Road.  Bertie had previously been educated at Wollaston National School.  He left King Edward VI Grammar School on 17th April 1898.

From school war record booklet:
Capt., Canadian E.F., wounded; died on Service.

In 1911 Bertie Biggar aged 23 was resident as a lodger in the home of the Clarkson family in London, Ontario, Canada. On the census he gave his place of birth as Scotland in September 1887, his year of immigration into Canada as 1910 and his employment as office work. On the 5th July 1913 Bertie married Rhoda Mary Enid Puddicombe at St Paul’s Cathedral, London, Middlesex. He died from pneumonia at Victoria Hospital, London, Ontario on the 12th December 1918, aged 31 years.

The following information has been researched by Brian Hill:
Upton News, 28th December 1918:
The death took place at London, Ontario, on the 13th inst. from pneumonia following influenza of Captain and Adjutant Bertie Clark Biggar, Canadian, R.F.A., the only son of the late Mr John C. Biggar, of Dumfries, and of Mrs Biggar, of Kirkcudbright.  The deceased, who formerly lived at Orchard House, Kinnersley, Severn Stoke, was a member of the Upton-on-Severn Golf and Cricket Clubs and joined H.M. Forces shortly after the outbreak of war.

Captain and Adjutant, South Midland Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.
Upton News Roll of Honour states 93 Battery, 61st Howitzer Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

Born 15/9/1887.
Applied on 16th January 1917 to be an officer in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force, from address Officers Hospital , Marlborough Buildings, Bath.  Current regiment 7th Fusiliers., and 2 years in Royal Field Artillery.  Wife Mary Biggin.
Considered unfit, but seems to have subsequently joined 49th Battalion., 12th Brigade Canadian Field Artillery.  Rank Captain