We Remember

George Huggins

George Huggins
Rank: 
Private
Regimental number: 
11369
Unit at enlistment: 
4th Battalion
Force: 
C.E.F.
Volunteered or conscripted: 
Volunteered
Survived the war: 
No
Date of death: 
April 23rd, 1915
Cemetery: 
Menin Gate Memorial - Ypres, Belgium - Panel 18.24.26.30
Commemorated at: 
Massey-Harris Memorial Plaque (Toronto)
Birth country: 
England
Birth county: 
Kent
Birth city: 
Belvedere
Address at enlistment: 
17 Elliott Avenue, Brantford, Ontario
Next of kin address: 
17 Elliott Avenue, Brantford, Ontario
Trade or calling: 
Labourer
Employer: 
Massey-Harris Co.
Religious denominations: 
Baptist
Marital status: 
Single
Age at enlistment: 
18
Image gallery: 

Letters and documents

Circumstances of Casualty: Killed in Action.
Location of Unit at Time of Casualty: Attack near St. Julien.

BX May 12, 1915

Private George Huggins

Former Massey-Harris employee reported killed at Langemarck.

BX May 13, 1915

As announced in yesterday’s Expositor Private George Huggins, brother of Pte. James Huggins, who died in hospital, has been reported killed in battle. A cablegram was received by his mother, Mrs. Huggins, Scotland, Ont., from Private Huggins’ chum, Private Forsyth, stating that he had died on the battlefield. Thus two members of the one family from this city have already given up their lives in defense of their country.

Private George Huggins was very well known in Brantford. He was employed in the machine shop at the Massey-Harris works here, and was there very popular. He was but a young man, having spent his 18th birthday in the trenches, but he had always shown a keen interest in military work, having been for two years a member of F. Company, Dufferin Rifles. He joined the first contingent from the Duffs on its organization, and was accepted. He was born in the Old Land, at Belvidere, Kent, though he had resided in Canada for some years.
    
He leaves a mother, Mrs. Huggins, of Scotland, recently of this city, two sisters, Mrs. Hill and Miss Ethel Huggins and two brothers, Albert who resides in Holmedale, and Fred in California. These have the sympathy of many friends and all Brantford citizens in their double loss – a loss that rebounds to the credit of the family which has given of its best for the cause of King and Country.

BX July 3, 1915

Three Names of Brantford Men Killed – Pte. Frank Alfred Ellis Reported Killed – Privates George Huggins and Thomas Henry Podd Officially Reported – Heroic Conduct

In the list of casualties published at Ottawa yesterday afternoon appear the names of three Brantford men, Thomas Henry Podd, Frank Alfred Ellis and George Huggins. Two of these, Private Huggins and Private Podd, have previously been reported killed, but the name of Pte. F.A. Ellis has not previously been included among those who have given up their lives on the field of battle.

Private Ellis, who by trade was a plasterer, left his work at the outbreak of the war, and volunteered his services with the first contingent of Dufferin Rifles, under Major Malcolm Alexander Colquhoun. He had previously served for five years with the 38th D.R.C. Private Ellis resided at 8 Huron Street at the time of his enlistment. He was unmarried. 

BX February 4, 1915

The Woolwich Arsenal Keeps 30,000 Men Working Steady – Interesting Stories of How Two Brantford Boys at Salisbury Camp Spent Their Leave – Woolwich and London the Centres the Boys Gravitated to – Christmas Dinner in Camp

That there are 30,000 men working in night and day shifts at the Woolwich arsenal, the great manufacturing government depot for the British army and navy, is the information contained in a letter received by Mrs. J. Huggins, 17 Elliott Avenue, from her son, George, with the Duffs at Salisbury camp. He tells an interesting story of how he spent his six days leave in the arsenals and other centres of military activity. Another interesting letter, along similar lines, has been received by Mrs. Robert McCartney, 18 Mt. Pleasant Street, from her son Bob, a fellow member of Huggins. The letters follow:

Pte. G. Huggins, No. 11369
G. Company, 4th Batt, 1st Brigade,
Bustard Camp, Canadian Contingent,
Salisbury Plain

Dear Mother,

As I have just come back from my six days’ leave I thought you would like to know about my travels. Well first Jim and I went up to Woolwich to see Uncle Fred Penny as being one of the superintendents in the Woolwich arsenal, we knew he had the privilege to take us over, and you know there are not many can go over the arsenal now on account of so many spies. Well he showed us a great many big guns, one was 53 feet long and 15 feet round, and the smaller ones that is the 13.5 are now mounted on cradles far up in the air and throw out 6,000 lb. shots at a time. We then went through the shell foundry, the one Dad used to work in, and saw some of the big shells like he used to handle, which cost as much as $500 each. We went through the danger buildings and the bullet plant, where Jim worked and he saw several of his mates, who wanted to know all about Canada and why he volunteered. They were all pleased to meet him. We went through a good many other places, but it would take too long to tell you all. Uncle Fred says there are over 30,000 men working day and night, also Sundays. He said Dad ought to be here now; he would be at his old job quick enough. He then took us over the city hall, which is some grand building – very different to Brantford. We stopped in Woolwich that night and next day went on to London and met Uncle Harry. He took us over the city and into St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London and the Houses of Parliament, and we saw the outside of Buckingham Palace, but could not go in there. He also took us in some different places where they analyze. He being one of the sanitary inspectors at Islington he could get passes to go in, so you see we came off good, as a lot of the places are really shut-up to the public. We went to Erith the next day, all through Vickers & Sons and Maxim’s and saw a lot of big guns there – those quick-firing guns you hear talked about – and we saw our Fred’s foreman, the one he was apprenticed under. He wanted to know how he was getting on in Canada and also wanted his address. I told him he was farming on his own land in California, so he is going to write to him. He showed us all over the foundry and explained it to us, so you see we are having a good time, for everyone makes such a fuss over us.

You say you are having a lot of snow. Well that is better than for us – it is all rain and mud over our boot tops in mud, but I guess we shall soon be going from here. I hope so and also that we shall have a smack at the Germans. I will bring a souvenir from them when I come home. Remember me to all friends in Brantford and I hope all are well, as we all are, especially the 38th Duffs. Before I close I must tell you of Christmas day, which I spent in camp. It was made a dandy day as far as the government could. Our menu for dinner was roast chickens, beef, carrots, potatoes, plum pudding, cake and rum salad. Then the next day being Boxing Day there was an invite to a place called Devizes, and two from every company was sent to the town hall to a banquet. I being one of the lucky ones from our company. We were received by the mayor and mayoress and then had a splendid lunch, concert and smoker after, arriving home in camp tired but happy at 12.30. 
I started my leave on Dec. 30 for the six days. I guess I must close now as I am tired of writing but will tell you a little more next week.

Your loving son,

George

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