COMMEMORATED IN PERPETUITY BY THE

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

James Huggins enlisted at Abingdon to the 12 service battalion, Gloucester Regiment. The capture of Hazebrouck was crucial to the German advance; an important railway junction, with direct links to the Channel ports of Boulogne, Calais and Dunkirk, much of the B.E.F.'s supplies came through Hazebrouck. If it fell to the Germans, the B.E.F.'s loss would be a definite gain for the enemy. 1st Devonshire Regiment and 1st Duke of Cornwall's Regiment the lead battalions, 12th Gloucestershire Regiment in support. 15th Infantry Brigade forming a reserve at Haverskerque. The Germans attacking either side of the Division on 13th April, 12th Gloucestershire Regiment moved up to assist the 4th Guards Brigade on the left, whilst 14th Royal Warwickshire Regiment had a prolonged fight to hold onto Le Vert Bois Farm on the right. Finally evacuating it during the night. 14th Royal Warwickshire Regiment and 15th Royal Warwickshire Regiment halting attacks on their front on 14th April.

Private James Huggins fell on the 14th, just 24 hours before Hazebrouck was secured. Further impending German attacks were broken up by artillery and machine-gun fire on 15th April and with the 1st Australian Division securing the left flank and 2nd Cavalry Division forming a reserve, the line was consolidated and Hazebrouck secured.

From 1817 - the whole Huggins family were born and lived in Steventon (1871 Census). James was the son of George Huggins, a Carter on the farm. He was the 11th child out of 14 - 4 brothers, 9 sisters. In 1919 his Mother, Mrs Ellen Huggins of Brookside Cottages, Mill Street, Steventon was listed as his Dependant on his service Pension Card. It’s likely that Brookside Cottages was the original name for the small row of houses in Mill Street, at the corner of the brook (now, No.s 25 to 29). James’s niece (Audrey Keeler) still lives in Steventon.