John Dennis Riggs

Story:
John Dennis Riggs was born in 1888 in Farnham, Dorset, and baptised at Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, on 20th January, 1889. He was the son of John Dennis Riggs, a Gardener, and Fannie Riggs (née Raymond). His siblings included Cecil Herbert, born in 1893, who also died in the war. The 1911 Census shows that John was working as a Farm Labourer and living in Tollard Royal, Wiltshire. John married Alice Rachel Andrews at Witchampton, Dorset, on 26th December, 1911. He enlisted at Shaftesbury as a Private in the Territorial Unit of the Dorset (The Queen's Own) Yeomanry (Service No. 1180). He was posted to Egypt on 22 Apr 1915 and later was in action at Gallipoli and was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. He was presumed killed in action on 21st August 1915 and his name appears on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey (Panel 17 and 18). John's widow Alice was at this time living with their two daughters at Hillside, Manswood, Wimborne. He is also remembered on the Melbury Abbas War Memorial and on the memorial plaque inside the church at Berwick St. John, Wiltshire. His widow was awarded a dependent's pension of 18s. 6d. (92p) per week for herself and two children. Alice remarried Henry Frank Kimber at Long Critchel, Wimborne, Dorse, on 27 Aug 1919.

He is further 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.