Peter Wise and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
Gordon was the only son of Captain Ernest Higginbotham and his wife Ada Maude although he did have a sister, Lavender. His birth date was 4th June 1898 and his baptism is registered on the 24th August 1898. His father, Ernest, originated from Warwickshire and had married in 1898.
The 1901 census shows the family living at 5 Marshall Street, Barnard Castle. Ada is considered head of the household as her husband, Ernest being a sergeant in the army and probably away because of military duties.
Ernest had been a hatter in civilian life but had enlisted into the Durham Light Infantry at the age of only 15 years 6 months (about 1880). During his career he served in Ireland, East Indies and South Africa. He was discharged from the regular army in 1904.
By 1911 Ernest having retired from the army he is listed as an army pensioner although he does have a job as a school attendance officer for the county council.
Ernest was promoted to Captain and was commandant at Healeyfield Prisoner of War camp at Castleside near Consett in 1917. The prisoners were involved in the extracting of ganister from coal measures which was used for furnace linings.
Gordon attested for service on 28th June 1915 giving his age as being 19 years 1 month. In fact, he was only 17 years old and would not be 19 until 4th June 1917.
His records show him to be 5’6” tall, weighing 128 lbs. His faith was Church of England and his character was noted as being exemplary. Whilst he is recorded as being a clerk a reference to him being interested in dentistry is also mentioned.
On 15th November 1915 he disembarked in France.
On 23rd October 1916 a letter was sent to his father from Royal Engineer’s record office stating that Gordon will be withdrawn from the firing line in accordance with instructions from the Army Council.
Whilst at Millbrook Camp on 15th May 1917 Gordon was admonished for not complying with an order. He lost 7 days pay for that offence.
On 5th August 1917 he was posted to the Special Brigade Depot, Belgium but only lasted there 17 days before being killed in action.
Two days before his death Gordon had written home that he was in the best of spirits and the best of health. He died, with others, as a result of an enemy shell landing on their camp during the night. He had narrowly missed death before as a bullet had passed through his haversack. He had been recommended to be trained as an officer.
At the time of his death, which occurred between 11.00pm -12.00pm on 22nd August 1917, he was serving with the Royal Engineers (Service no. 156555) but prior to that he had spent some time with Royal Fusiliers, 1st Special Company (service No. 8014).
His personal belongings of a wallet and some photos were returned to his family.
Recipient of the 1915 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.
Gordon Gerard Metcalf Higginbotham is remembered at Barnard Castle on B135.04, B135.10, B135.12, B135.20, B135.23 and B135.25
