Delving into Wepener at the weekend I spent time looking at the two Piggin brother who served side by side in Brabant’s Horse and then separately doing the Great War, one being drowned off Alexandria.
Piggin, 923 QMS Frederic Williams, Brabant's Horse | QSA (4) CC Wep Witt Belf, KSA (2) | Born c 1877 in Long Eaton, Derbyshire. Brother of H A Piggin. Enlisted in 2nd BrH, 15 December 1899 in Cape Town. Severely wounded at Wepener. Slightly wounded in the wrist near Lindley, 31 December 1900. Discharged 26 February 1902. Had transferred to 1st KFS (1295 and 1949) 11 May 1901. Discharged 26 February 1902 in Cape Town. Settlement of £111/19. Medal issued 17 July 1902. KSA issued 11 March 1904. Working as a butcher in 1910 in Long Eaton and living in Beeston, Nottingham. Served during the Great War in Salonica, Egypt and Palestine. Temporary Lieutenant 12 November 1915. Second Lieutenant, South Nottinghamshire Hussars, 6 October 1916. Temporary Captain 11 November 1916. Acting Captain 12 March 1918. MC LG 5 July 1918: Lieutenant [acting Captain] Frederick William Piggin, Yeomanry. 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was in command of the leading squadron in an action, and led his men with great skill. He advanced rapidly over very difficult country, driving back a superior force of the enemy. He cut the enemy's line of retreat, capturing two field guns and some prisoners.' He died 27 May 1918, drowned when the troop transport Leasowe Castle was torpedoed off Alexandria, Egypt, with a loss of 83 men, officers and other ranks. Commemorated on the Chatby Memorial, Egypt. Forenames sometimes Frederick William | [MC]; QSA (4); KSA (2) (RQMS KFS); 14-15 Star (2/Lt S Notts Hussars); BWM; VM (2/Lt). Glendining December 1969 £36
Piggin, 922 RQMS Henry Arthur, Brabant's Horse | QSA (4) CC Wep Witt Belf, KSA (2) | Born c 1880 in Long Eaton Derbyshire. Brother of F W PIggin. Enlisted in 2nd BrH, 15 December 1899 in Cape Town. Discharged BrH, time expired, 26 February 1902 in Cape Town. Conduct exemplary. Address after discharge: Long Eaton, Nottingham. Claimed balance of pay of £42/9/6. Had transferred to 1st KFS (1296 and 1977) 11 May 1901. Discharged 8 February 1902 in Cape Town. Medal issued 17 July 1902. Served during the Great War and in France. Second Lieutenant South Notts Hussars, 15 June 1916. Temporary Lieutenant 18 September 1917. Temporary Captain 4 February 1919. Resigned 14 September 1920. Served in the North Midland Field Ambulance and the Army Remount Service. Married Kathleen Cooper in September 1926. Riding instructor and horse dealer in Repton, Derbyshire. He died on 14 December 1961