Description
A Great War Pair to the 2nd/1st Berkshire Royal Horse Artillery (Territorial Force) awarded to Driver Claud Lawrence Higgs, who was Courts Martialed 6 Times and Discharged Sick with a Silver Wound Badge comprising 1914-1920 British War and Victory Medals, (616144 Dvr. C.L. Higgs, R.A.), lightly toned, very fine.
Claud Lawrence Higgs enlisted into the 1st/1st Berkshire Royal Horse Artillery (T.F.) on the 12th of March 1914aged 15 years being posted to the 2nd/1st for training. He signed for Imperial Service on the 2nd of December 1914 and served Home until the 24th of May 1917. His Home Service was not without excitement. 18th March 1915 – Neglect of Duty – 1 Day Confined to Barracks, 2nd of August 1915 – Insolent reply to an NCO – 72 Hours Field Punishment, 8th of December 1915 – Neglect of Duty – 2 days Field Punishment, 10th of December 1915 – Breaking out of Billet when a Defaulter – 2 days Field Punishment, 3rd of April 1916 – Insolence – 48 Hours Confined to Barracks, 2nd of April 1917 – Gambling – 72 Hours Confined to Barracks.
On the 24th of May 1917 he was sent with the 2nd /1st Battery Berkshire R.H.A. (T.A) to France arriving at Boulogne that day. Claud stayed with the Battery in France until he was sent home sick on the 9th of September 1917, he was sent to The Bristol war Hospital eventually being discharged no longer fit for Military Service on the 16th of November 1917, he was awarded Silver War Badge No. 267697 and a Pension of 27/6 for 4 weeks then 19/3 for 39 weeks.
It would appear that Claude re-enlisted for the Royal Artillery on the 10th of January 1938 then transferred to the RAF.
Claude died aged 42 on 28th March 1941 and is buried at Henley Road Cemetery, Caversham
