Royal Navy – HMS Pembroke
Christopher Edgar Biggs was born in the Parish of St Mary, Gloucester, on 27 July 1860.
Prior to joining the Royal Navy (RN) he was a labourer. He entered RN service on 7 September 1876, when aged fifteen. His base was Chatham.
He served on various ships in the Victorian era and became an Ordinary Seaman on 1 August 1878 and an Able Seaman on 1 January 1885.
He appears to have finished his sea going service in January 1898 and was posted to a shore establishment until August 1908, when he left the service.
He rejoined the RN on 14 September 1914, following the outbreak of war. His age was 54. He appears to have served at HMS Pembroke, the RN barracks at Chatham, until finally leaving the service on 19 October 1916. This was probably due to illness or disability, the nature of which is unknown.
He died on 26 August 1920, aged 60, in Gloucester Royal Infirmary. The Probate Register gives his address as 4 Whitley Terrace, Stanley Road, Gloucester: probate was granted to his widow, Mary.
He was buried in Gloucester Old Cemetery, where his grave is marked by a CWGC headstone.
His Service Record at the National Archives is referenced ADM 188/110.
Researched by Graham Adams 19 January 2012