Private Andrew Biggins
53298 Devonshire Regiment
Later 99694 Labour Corps

Andrew Biggins of Burnley served in WWI. He enlisted on 5 Oct 1914 in the DCLI Labour Corps. He was transferred to the Devon Regiment on 10 Feb 1917 and arrived in France on 27 Feb 1917 with the 2nd Infantry Labour Company later changed to the 167 Labour Company on 28 Feb 1917. He returned to the UK on 26 Feb 1918 and was discharged on 31 May 1918. Attached are his enlistment record and medal card.

My wife was born in Burnley in 1934. Her mother was a Doherty. Two of her brothers Edward and John Doherty were in WWI and are listed on your site. Andrew Biggins was an uncle of my wife's mother. Andrew's sister was Agnes Biggins married to George Doherty. Yes he was old to be posted overseas. My wife recalls stories her mother told about him. Those stories were that in addition to serving in WWI he had previously been in the East Lancashire Regiment and had served in India with that unit.

(Courtesy of Paul Beck, Egan, MN - USA )