Lance Corporal J. Higgins - 405295

According to his attestation papers dated August 20, 1915 at Toronto, William John Higgins was born on June 5, 1894 in Wimbleton, Surrey, England.  He listed his wife Florence May Higgins, Louisa Street, Mimico as his next of kin.  He was an engineer and had no previous military experience.  He was 31 years and 2 months of age and stood 5 feet 3 1/4 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, brown hair and a fair complexion.  He was missing half of a finger on one hand.  He was a member of the Church of England. 

In the 1914 Toronto City directory he is listed as a fireman living on the east side of Louisa Street, Mimico.

He was a Corporal in the 21st Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment) when he was killed in action on April 9, 1917 at Vimy Ridge.  He is buried in the Nine Elms Military Cemetery, Thelus, France.  According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website he was the son of John Higgins and the husband of Florence M. Higgins, of Teeswater, Ontario.

Obituary of W. J. Higgins, courtesy of the Canadian Virtual War Memorial