Pte 56928 William Rigby

• Age: 19
• From: Southport, Lancs
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Wednesday 2nd January 1918
• Commemorated at: Hooge Crater Cem, Zillebeke
  Panel Ref: XVI.J.12

William was born in Southport in the second quarter of 1898 the son of Thomas Rigby and his wife Mary Jane (nee Wilkinson) who had married on 27th August 1892 at St Luke's Church in Southport when Thomas was 25 and Mary Jane 22. 

Their first two children sadly died in infancy, William was the second of four surviving children and the only son. His sisters were: Elizabeth, Catherine and Alice. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 27 St Luke's Road, Southport. William is aged 2 and lives with his parents and one sister. His father is a 33 year old plasterer's labourer born in Southport, whilst his mother Mary J. is aged 30 also born in Southport. His sister Elizabeth is 6 years of age. Also present is Alice Wright a 73 year old widow described as Aunt.  

By 1911 the family are living at 142 Hart Street, Southport. William is aged 13 at school living with his parents and 3 sisters. His father Thomas is a 43 year old labourer, his mother Mary J. is 40. His parents advise that they have been married for 18 years and have had 6 children four of whom have survived. His sisters are recorded as Elizabeth aged 16 and a shop assistant, Catherine  aged 9, and Alice aged 6.

William enlisted in Southport and was serving with the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 56928 when he was killed in action on 02nd January 1918.

William Rigby was the son of Mr & Mrs Rigby of 133 Hart Street, Southport. He joined the King's Liverpool Regiment about thirteen months previous to his death, and had been in France since April 1917. He was 19 years of age, and prior to enlisting was employed as a coach painter by Mr J Williams of Virginia Street. A letter from the chaplain stated that Pte Rigby was killed in action in the first line during an enemy raid. He also stated that Pte Rigby was buried at Bedford House Military Cemetery, near Ypres, and a cross marked the spot.

Hooge Chateau and its stables were the scene of very fierce fighting throughout the First World War. On 31 October 1914, the staff of the 1st and 2nd Divisions were wiped out when the chateau was shelled; from 24 May to 3 June 1915, the chateau was defended against German attacks and in July 1915, the crater was made by a mine sprung by the 3rd Division. On 30 July, the Germans took the chateau, and on 9 August, it and the crater were regained by the 6th Division. The Germans retook Hooge on 6 June 1916 and on 31 July 1917, the 8th Division advanced 1.6 Kms beyond it. It was lost for the last time in April 1918, but regained by the 9th (Scottish) and 29th Divisions on 28 September.

Hooge Crater Cemetery was begun by the 7th Division Burial Officer early in October 1917. It contained originally 76 graves, in Rows A to D of Plot I, but was greatly increased after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the battlefields of Zillebeke, Zantvoorde and Gheluvelt and other smaller cemeteries.

There are now 5,916 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated in this cemetery. 3,570 of the burials are unidentified, but special memorials record the names of a number of casualties either known or believed to be buried among them, or whose graves in other cemeteries were destroyed by shell fire.

The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.    

William is commemorated on the Southport War Memorial.

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