Regiment: Royal Engineers 219th Field Company
Service No: 176767
Date & place of birth: 1 January 1888, Kensington
Date & place of death: 23 April 1917 (aged 29), Belgium
Albert William Gigg moved to Petworth to live with his aunt and uncle who had no children. He was married with two children when he was drafted into the army.
Family background
Albert William Gigg was born in Kensington and was the son of Edward who was a scaffolder and Georgina Gigg. There were eight siblings, two of whom had died by 1911. By 1901 Albert was living with his uncle (who was a paperhanger working for himself) and his aunt in Petworth. In 1911 his uncle is described as an upholsterer and employer and Albert is also an upholsterer presumably working with his uncle. In 1914 he married Lily Augusta Grimwood and she is shown as living in East Street, Petworth. They had two children Charles born 24 January 1915 and Albert born 13 October 1916.
Military service
Albert was called up and enlisted in Petworth 30 November 1915 aged 27 and there is a letter regarding his carpentry skills in his war record. At the time he was living in Whitton Dene Road, Hounslow. He was in the reserve at first and mobilised on 30 May 1916. His carpentry skills were doubtless used in the building of the trenches.
Death and commemoration
Albert died of wounds on 21 July 1917 aged 29 and he is buried in Coxyde Military Cemetery Belgium. He received the Victory and British medals.
Subsequent family history
His wife received 22s 11d pension from 4 February 1918 for her and their two sons.