WILLIAM ALBERT RIGSBY
William Albert Rigsby was born in 1896 in Plymouth, Devon, the son of Frederick Thomas Rigsby of the Royal Marine Light Infantry and his wife Elizabeth (Elliott).
By 1901, Frederick had retired and the family were living in Atcombe Road with his mother, Mary Ann. In 1911, they were in Station Hill, Frederick was working as a postman and Albert (as he was known) was a 14 year old domestic gardener.
Albert enlisted in the 10th (Service) Battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment and went to France on 9 August 1915. He reached the rank of Corporal and was reported 'Missing presumed dead' at Loos on 13 October of the same year, aged 19.
He has no known grave and is remembered on the Loos Memorial.
Medals 1914-15 Star, Victory and British War
His brothers Frederick Ernest and Enslin Edward Arthur are also known to have served.
Background
On 6 May 1915 the 10th Bn (attached to 26th Division) left Cheltenham by train and landed at Le Havre on 9 August 1915. They were transferred to 1st Brigade in 1st Division on 17 August when they arrived in Bethune - joining the 1st Bn.
On 21 September an artillery barrage started on the German front lines and continued for 4 days.
On 22 September, the 10th Bn left their rest camp for the front line, leaving behind 95 men with mumps.
The Battle of Loos commenced on 25 September and the 10th Bn advanced towards German machine guns. Officers fell leading their men, 14 out of 21 were lost. However, the Gloucesters, with the Berkshires and Camerons reached the German 2nd line at Hulluch. Only 60 men of the battalion remained. They were pulled out of the line on 29 September - over 450 men failed to answer the roll call.
On 5 October, the battalion with the 95 recovered mumps cases, was back in the line near Rutoire Farm.
On 13 October 1915, 150 men of the 10th Bn were either killed, wounded or reported missing during another attempt to take Hulluch. The Battle of Loos was over - 309 men of the 10th Bn were dead. The advance was around 1500 yards.
So, was Albert a victim of mumps and spared the first attack? Or did he bravely go 'through hell' twice for very little gain?
By 1901, Frederick had retired and the family were living in Atcombe Road with his mother, Mary Ann. In 1911, they were in Station Hill, Frederick was working as a postman and Albert (as he was known) was a 14 year old domestic gardener.
Albert enlisted in the 10th (Service) Battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment and went to France on 9 August 1915. He reached the rank of Corporal and was reported 'Missing presumed dead' at Loos on 13 October of the same year, aged 19.
He has no known grave and is remembered on the Loos Memorial.
Medals 1914-15 Star, Victory and British War
His brothers Frederick Ernest and Enslin Edward Arthur are also known to have served.
Background
On 6 May 1915 the 10th Bn (attached to 26th Division) left Cheltenham by train and landed at Le Havre on 9 August 1915. They were transferred to 1st Brigade in 1st Division on 17 August when they arrived in Bethune - joining the 1st Bn.
On 21 September an artillery barrage started on the German front lines and continued for 4 days.
On 22 September, the 10th Bn left their rest camp for the front line, leaving behind 95 men with mumps.
The Battle of Loos commenced on 25 September and the 10th Bn advanced towards German machine guns. Officers fell leading their men, 14 out of 21 were lost. However, the Gloucesters, with the Berkshires and Camerons reached the German 2nd line at Hulluch. Only 60 men of the battalion remained. They were pulled out of the line on 29 September - over 450 men failed to answer the roll call.
On 5 October, the battalion with the 95 recovered mumps cases, was back in the line near Rutoire Farm.
On 13 October 1915, 150 men of the 10th Bn were either killed, wounded or reported missing during another attempt to take Hulluch. The Battle of Loos was over - 309 men of the 10th Bn were dead. The advance was around 1500 yards.
So, was Albert a victim of mumps and spared the first attack? Or did he bravely go 'through hell' twice for very little gain?