Lieutenant Walter Robert Higginson NNC

Subject: Lieutenant Walter Robert Higginson NNC Wed Jun 24, 2020 7:59 pm

Hi there I know this has been discussed before but....
From what we do know he served in the Royal Dublin Militia from 1875. Do we know where the records for the militia are stored
maybe a photo will come too light? If someone can point me in the right direction I'll pursue it?
Cheers
Ciroferrara

Posts : 615 Join date : 2013-05-07 Location : Brecon

Just go to to the National Archives at Kew website (the archives are currently closed) - do an advanced search 'Dublin Militia' c1870-1880 - WO96 - then when the archives are open do the search yourself in the archives.

Subject: Re: Lieutenant Walter Robert Higginson NNC Thu Jun 25, 2020 9:36 am

HIGGINSON Walter Robert: Clerk, General Post Office, Dublin; Lieutenant, Dublin City Militia 23.6.75; Assistant Musketry Instructor; Acting Adjutant for nine months; He obtained a School of Instruction certificate from the 90th Regiment at Richmond Barracks, Dublin 1876;

Subject: Re: Lieutenant Walter Robert Higginson NNC Thu Jun 25, 2020 12:17 pm

Hi cheers everyone I'll look into this. I know he was last posted in the Gambia in 1886 has anyone got access to census records maybe to see if he landed up back in the UK?
Cheers
Ciroferrara

Subject: Re: Lieutenant Walter Robert Higginson NNC Thu Jun 25, 2020 12:57 pm

In 1880 he could not accept a Sub Inspectors position with the Gold Coast Constabulary due to the lack of funds for a sea passage to England; Sergeant, Pretoria Carbineers; First Anglo-Boer War 1880-81 including the defence of Pretoria; On 18.7.81 from Pretoria he applied to join the Cape Infantry Regiment however was unsuccessful; Assistant Inspector, Gold Coast Constabulary, August 1881; Government Secretary and Superintendent of Police Gambia, December 1886; Died in Lagos from Fever in 22.6.1896.

Subject: Re: Lieutenant Walter Robert Higginson NNC Thu Jun 25, 2020 6:50 pm

Thanks for the replies. I've emailed a number of museums in Dublin and Ireland too see if they have any photos of the Dublin Militia
Cheers
Ciroferrara

Subject: Re: Lieutenant Walter Robert Higginson NNC Fri Jun 26, 2020 9:24 pm

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
The Pretoria Carbineers, Defence of Pretoria, 1880-81
(John Young Collection.)

The Pretoria Carbineers commanded by Richard Keats Henry D'Arcy, elder brother of Henry Cecil Dudgeon D'Arcy, V.C.

Presumably the officers of the unit are those in the foreground, behind them in centre of the first seated row are a number of men wearing chevrons indicating that they are the non-commissioned officers of the unit.

JY

Posts : 1085 Join date : 2009-10-16

Hi All,
Walter B.1856 kingston Dublin, went to Rathmines school Dublin, He was married, and there son attended Brighton College. He was Superintendent of Police in Gambia from 1886, was in the Colonial Service Gold Coast Gambia from 1886 police appointment, later he was Acting Commissioner at Badagry 1890, and Inspector of Police in Lagos. He died in July 1896 in Lagos and buried there the same day. Whilst in the Gambia he sent back Rubber Plants to Kew Gardens.
From the London Gazette 22 june 1875 to be Lt Dublin City.
D. at the Treasury Lagos West Africa buried same day 1896, appears Weekley Irish Times 1 August 1896.
M.Elizabeth Durrant Johnson b.1856 Bristol, in Gravesend june 1/4 1883, son Walter Robert b.june 1/4 1885 Gravesend, he also became a civil servent in Fiji and was alive in Singapore in 1925.
Keep Safe Rai Keynshamlighthorse

Subject: Re: Lieutenant Walter Robert Higginson NNC Sat Jun 27, 2020 1:00 pm

Following on from this, does anyone have a nominal roll for the Pretoria Carbineers? I’d interested to see who else was in the unit.

It appears one was requested, this from the National Archives of South Africa:
DEPOT TAB
SOURCE SS
TYPE LEER
VOLUME_NO 520
SYSTEM 01
REFERENCE R870/81
PART 1
DESCRIPTION DEPUTY ASSISTANT ADJUDANT GENERAL. ASKS NOMINAL ROLL OF ALL PRETORIA
VOLUNTEERS CORPS DURING LATE SIEGE.
STARTING 18810422
ENDING 18810422

Subject: Re: Lieutenant Walter Robert Higginson NNC Sat Jun 27, 2020 3:41 pm

Brilliant picture!! So he's in there somewhere.. I'll let everyone know how i get on with the Dublin Militia pictures
Cheers
Ciroferrara

Subject: Re: Lieutenant Walter Robert Higginson NNC Sat Jun 27, 2020 5:11 pm

Ciroferrara,

I think we can narrow it down to someone in this close-up.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
(John Young Collection.)

JY

Subject: Re: Lieutenant Walter Robert Higginson NNC Sat Jun 27, 2020 8:23 pm

It makes me wonder if He really was a coward as is some times said.
Considering he went on to become an inspector of police I find it hard to believe
Cheers
Ciroferrara

Subject: Re: Lieutenant Walter Robert Higginson NNC Sat Jun 27, 2020 8:43 pm

Ciroferrara look at the Melvill's Revolver Cylinder thread

Subject: Lt Walter Robert Higginson NNC Sun Jun 28, 2020 1:55 am

Hi Ciroferrara
Agree with you about the pic from J.Y , truly OUTSTANDING . I think Coward is a little to strong a word in this instance , can't think of a secondary word below the level of Coward , although , he did leave Barker in the Lurch after he got across the Buffalo , I'm more inclined to think him a story teller , and a PRI-K ! Salute

90th

Subject: Re: Lieutenant Walter Robert Higginson NNC Sun Jun 28, 2020 8:15 am

Perfidious conjecture Sad

Subject: Re: Lieutenant Walter Robert Higginson NNC Sun Jun 28, 2020 11:19 am

He sounds remarkably like a Harry Flashman type of character!
Cheers
Ciroferrara

Posts : 3463 Join date : 2021-01-04

Seems he was in debt to a Mr Alfred Davis
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Natal Witness 17th June 1880

Posts : 3463 Join date : 2021-01-04

There is a letter from Higginson in the Natal Witness dated 24th June 1880 but unfortunatly it is barely readable.
The title is A. Davis versus Higginson
I can make out he was waiting in Pietermaritzburg for some money from the Government for loss of baggage at Isandhlwana but the rest is not legible.
It is signed Walter Higginson

» Lieutenant Walter Higginson's report of 17th February
» Walter higginsons statement
» Lieutenant Walter Ingram