Andrew Bell Briggs

Private Andrew Bell Briggs enlisted at Nottingham on 7th September 1914 into the Seaforth Highlanders but transferred to the Durham Light Infantry three days later, 10th September 1914. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 26th November 1914 and posted to 12th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He died in Connaught Hospital, Aldershot, 14th February 1915 of pneumonia, and was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery.

Nottingham Post notice (abridged), 18 February 1915: 'Briggs. On February 14th at Aldershot of pneumonia, Corporal (sic) Andrew Briggs, late 12th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, son of Andrew and Phoebe Briggs of Crown Street, aged 22. General Cemetery.' An article published in the Nottingham Evening Post dated 19th February 1915 reads:- “NOTTINGHAM SOLDIER’S FUNERAL. “WITH FULL MILITARY HONOURS. “Another soldier was buried, with full military honours at the Nottingham General Cemetery this afternoon [19th February 1915], the remains of Corporal Andrew Briggs, of the 12th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, whose home was in Crown-street, Nottingham, being borne to the cemetery on a gun carriage supplied the Notts. R.H.A., in charge of Corporal Field, and carried to the graveside by a party of R.H.A. men. “Firing and bugle parties were supplied by the South Notts. Hussars, the men being under the direction of Sergeant Smith, while a large crowd of sympathisers was assembled near the grave. “Corporal Briggs, who was only 22 years of age, died suddenly at Aldershot of pneumonia on Sunday [14th February 1915] Above article courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.