Private Thomas WIGGINS (1877–1898)

Thomas Wiggins was born at Leafield near Witney, on the edge of the Wychwood Forest, near the beginning of 1877. He was the son of Alfred Wiggins, a labourer, and his wife Emma, who was twenty years his junior. He was baptised there on 18 February 1877.

At the time of the 1881 census Thomas (4), who was already at school, was living at the lower end of Leafield with his father Alfred, described as an agricultural labourer, his mother Emma, who was a gloveress, and his younger brother Frederick (1).

In 1891 Thomas (15) was still living there with his parents and was himself working as an agricultural labourer. He now had four younger siblings: Frederick (11), Albert (8), Sarah (5), and Elsey (3).

On 3 November 1894 Thomas signed up in Oxford to serve in the 2nd Battalion of the Oxfordshire Light Infantry.

He gave his occupation as labourer and his father's name as Albert Wiggins of Leafield, but said he was aged 19 years and two months, whereas in fact he was only 17. It appears that he had hoped originally to join the Cavalry of the Line.

He was immediately sent as a foot soldier to India (regimental no. 4883). Between 7 August and 1 October 1897 he was part of the Mohmand Field Force on the North-West frontier of India.

He died of enteric fever in India at the age of 21 in 1898 (exact date illegible). He was posthumously awarded the India Medal with two clasps.