Cecil Herbert Riggs

Story:
Cecil Herbert Riggs was born on 29th September 1893 in Farnham, Dorset. (NB Second name shown as 'Herb' on GRO Index but 'Herbert' used generally afterwards.) He was the son of John Riggs, a Gardener, and Fanny Riggs (née Raymond). His siblings included John Dennis, born in 1888, who also died in the war. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Farm Labourer and living with his brother, John Dennis Riggs, in Tollard Royal, Wiltshire. His parents lived at 25 Tinkley Cottages, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire. In 1913 he enlisted on 8th October, 1913, and joined the Royal Navy (Service No. K.20795 (PO)). He commenced his service at HMS Victory Training Unit and later was posted to HMS Albermarle where he qualified as a Stoker 1st Class. He returned to HMS Victory for a period before joining the crew of HMS Queen Mary. He died when the ship was sunk at the Battle of Jutland on 31st May 1916. His name appears on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial (Panel 19) and the memorial plaque inside the church at Berwick St. John, Wiltshire. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals.

He is also remembered in Tollard Royal, on the War Memorial and on the Roll of Honour inside the Church of St. Peter and Vincula in the village.

Source: Photographs of the Portsmouth Naval Memorial taken by Richard Lunn.