Pte 26141 John Henry Alfred Higham

• Age: 23
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• D.O.W Tuesday 15th August 1916
• Commemorated at: Allerton Cem Liverpool
  Panel Ref: IV.Gen.Div 674

John Henry Alfred was born 14th July 1893 and was the son of John Henry Higham and his wife Mary Frances (nee Griffiths) who married on 28th November 1897 at St Marks Church, New Ferry, Cheshire.  He was baptised on 1st October 1893 at All Saints, Stoneycroft. His parents were then residing at 27 Gordon Street and his father was a Blacksmith.
Prior to enlisting he had been employed by London and North Western Railways at Edge-Hill and was a member of the L.N.W.R and Mossley Hill Junior Football clubs.

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 27, Gordon Street, Wavertree, Liverpool.

The father John Henry aged 34, born 1867 is a blacksmith and was born in Liverpool. His wife Mary Frances also aged 34 has no occupation listed was born in Flintshire, Wales. They have two children living with them at the time of the Census, John Henry Alfred aged 7, born 1894 and Arnold aged 5, born 1896 and both were born in Liverpool.

1911 Census the family are living at 10 Westdale Road, Wavertree - Parents John and Mary with children down as Alfred age 17 a railway company labourer, Arnold and Frederick.

John Henry Alfred served in the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 26141 Alfred Higham as per UK Soldiers died and Pension records he died, on 15th August 1916 aged 23 at 3 Southern Hospital, Oxford of wounds and was buried in a family grave Sec 4-674 at Allerton on 19th August 1916. Burial records state his name as Alfred age 23 10 Westdale Road Wavertree, but the gravestone gives is full name as John Henry Alfred Higham.


His death is reported in the Liverpool Echo 19th August 1916

DIED IN OXFORD HOSPITAL.

Private Alfred Higham, of the "Pals," son of Mr. and Mrs. John Higham, 10, Westdale-road, Wavertree, Liverpool, was wounded in July, and died in hospital at Oxford on the 15th inst. He was in the employ of the London and North-Western Railway at Edgehill, and was a member of the L. and N.W. R. Per. Way and Mossley-hill Jun. football clubs.

Liverpool Echo 15th Aug 1917

HIGHAM - In loving memory of my dear son,  PRIVATE ALFRED HIGHAM, aged 23 years, who died of wounds received in France.

We often think of old days gone by,

When we all together;

A shadow cast upon our life,

A dear one gone forever.

- Too dearly loved to be forgotten by Mother, Father and brothers, of 10 Westdale Road, Wavertree.

Liverpool Echo 15th Aug 1918

HIGHAM - In sad remembrance of my beloved son PRIVATE ALFRED HIGHAM, aged 23 years, who died of wounds received in France, August 15th 1916.

Though parted by the hand of God,

In Christ united still;

We will meet our loved one once again,

For Jesus says we will.

Lovingly remembered by all at home, and brother Arnold in hospital at Warrington. - 10 Westdale Road, Wavertree.

[Probably Gunner Arnold Higham RFA #695761 who received the SWB]

HIGHAM - In loving memory of my dear sweetheart Private A. HIGHAM, 1st Pals, who died from wounds received in action on the Somme, August 15 1916.

There came a mist and a blinding rain,

And life will never be the same again.

A loved one gone.

Ever sadly missed by Mary and all at 68 Gloucester Road, Tuebrook.

He is commemorated on the following Memorials:

London and North Western Railwaymen Roll of Honour.

Wavertree Congregational Church

His mother died on 27th July 1938 aged 69.

His father died on 09th April 1939 aged 74.

Soldiers Effects to his father John Henry and pension to his mother Mary Frances and father.

We currently have no further information on John Henry Alfred Higham. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.