Frederick Charles Riggs
Sergeant, 6th Battalion. York and Lancaster Regiment
- Register No.
- 1053 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Sergeant all Sergeants →
- Unit
- 6th Battalion. York and Lancaster Regiment all York and Lancaster Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 1 October 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 6th January 1919 on this day → all of 1919 →
- Born
- 28th July 1888 at Bournemouth, Hampshire
- Died
- in action on the 1st October 1918 at Epinoy, France
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- on Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France
Digest of citation
On 1st October 1918, near Epinoy, France having led his platoon, under heavy fire, through strong uncut barbed-wire, kept straight on and although losing heavily from the flanking fire, successfully reached the objective, where he rushed and captured a machine-gun. Using two captured machine guns to great effect, he caused the surrender of 50 of the enemy. When the enemy again advanced in force, Sergeant Riggs cheerfully encouraged his men to withstand the attack. Whilst strongly urging his men to resist to the last, Sergeant Riggs was killed
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
RIGGS, Frederick Charles. (reg No. 1053).
Sergeant. 6th Battalion. York and Lancaster Regiment.
London Gazetted on 6th January 1919.
Born on 28th July 1888 at Bournemouth, Hampshire.
Killed in action on the 1st October 1918 at Epinoy, France.
Memorial on Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France.
Digest of Citation reads: On 1st October 1918, near Epinoy, France having led his platoon, under heavy fire, through strong uncut barbed-wire, kept straight on and although losing heavily from the flanking fire, successfully reached the objective, where he rushed and captured a machine-gun. Using two captured machine guns to great effect, he caused the surrender of 50 of the enemy. When the enemy again advanced in force, Sergeant Riggs cheerfully encouraged his men to withstand the attack. Whilst strongly urging his men to resist to the last, Sergeant Riggs was killed.
Additional information:. Sergeant Riggs also held the Military Medal. He was the son (adopted when he was five years old) of Mrs Burgam of 39, Capstone Road, Bournemouth. Educated at Malmesbury Park Council School, Bournemouth. Prior to joining the Army on 4th September, 1914, he was employed, by Messrs Pickford and Sons, Removals and Carriers. He began his army career as a Private in the 11th Hussars. He was transferred to the York and Lancaster Regiment in the 6th Battalion and was sent to France in 1915. He was moved to Gallipoli where he stayed until the evacuation, after which, he was sent to Egypt. He was eventually returned to France, where he was wounded on the Somme. He convalesced in England, and on his recovery was sent back to France. Sergeant Riggs was killed on the 1st October 1918.
Additional information
Sergeant Riggs also held the Military Medal. He was the son (adopted when he was five years old) of Mrs Burgam of 39, Capstone Road, Bournemouth. Educated at Malmesbury Park Council School, Bournemouth. Prior to joining the Army on 4th September, 1914, he was employed, by Messrs Pickford and Sons, Removals and Carriers. He began his army career as a Private in the 11th Hussars. He was transferred to the York and Lancaster Regiment in the 6th Battalion and was sent to France in 1915. He was moved to Gallipoli where he stayed until the evacuation, after which, he was sent to Egypt. He was eventually returned to France, where he was wounded on the Somme. He convalesced in England, and on his recovery was sent back to France. Sergeant Riggs was killed on the 1st October 1918.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: on Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France
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