Andrew Bell Briggs
1911: occupation gas fitter.
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Andrew Richard Bell was the son of Andrew Bell and Phoebe Briggs (née Gibson).
His father Andrew Bell Briggs was born in 1861 at Nottingham and his mother Phoebe Gibson was born in 1864 at Thurgarton, Nottinghamshire. They were married in 1888 (Nottingham Registration District), and had five children, Elizabeth Amelia, Phoebe Mabel, Andrew Richard Bell, Joseph and Alfred who were born in Nottingham. Andrew was born on 19 April 1893 and baptised with his four siblings at Nottingham St Ann's on 13 May 1901.
At the time of the 1911 census the family was living at 63 Sneinton Road, Nottingham: Andrew Bell (49), a furniture upholsterer, Phoebe (47) and their children, Elizabeth (22) and Phoebe (20) who were both lace finishers, Andrew (18) a gas fitter, Joseph Bell (14) and Alfred Bell (8).
Andrew Richard Bell Briggs enlisted at Nottingham on 7 September 1914 in the Seaforth Highlanders but transferred to the Durham Light Infantry three days later, 10 September 1914. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 26 November 1914 and posted to 12th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.
He died in Connaught Hospital, Aldershot, on 14 February 1915 of pneumonia, and was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery.
Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour', 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.'
Nottingham Evening Post, 19 February 1915:
'NOTTINGHAM SOLDIER’S FUNERAL. WITH FULL MILITARY HONOURS.
'Another soldier was buried, with full military honours at the Nottingham General Cemetery this afternoon [19 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 [1 February 1915].'
Above courtesy of Jim Grundy facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
Andrew Bell Briggs
Grave, Nottingham General Cemetery. Photograph Peter Gillings