Orders, Decorations and Medals

Three: Gunner Charles Higgins, Royal Navy

East & West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Witu August 1893 (C. Higgins, Gunner R.N. H.M.S. Swallow); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Natal (Gnr. C. Higgins R.N. H.M.S. Terrible); China 1900, 1 clasp, Taku Forts (Gunr. C. Higgins, R.N. H.M.S. Orlando) extremely fine and a rare combination (3) £2500-3000

Approximately 160 Witu clasps issued to the Royal Navy, including 35 to H.M.S. Swallow; only 35 single clasps for Taku Forts to H.M.S. Orlando. This combination of clasps is possibly unique.

Charles Higgins was born at Newport Pagnell, Bucks, on 18 May 1859. He joined the Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 28 May 1874 aboard the Duncan, joining the St Vincent shortly afterwards and becoming Boy 1st Class in June 1875. Rising through the rates, he achieved Petty Officer status 1st Class in December 1882, becoming Gunner’s Mate in January 1886. His service record is then annotated in red ink “Allowed to enter service of Chinese Government, being d[ischarged] from H.M. Navy on 21 Oct 86. If fit & then regulations permit it, he may re-enter the Navy on completion of his engagement in China.” Higgins did indeed re-enter, as Gunner’s Mate, in January 1890, and was promoted to Warrant Rank as Acting Gunner on 11 August 1890.

He was present in the operations against Pumwani on 6/7 August 1893 and mentioned in the despatch of Captain G. R. Lindley, R.N., of H.M.S. Blanche: “I wish especially to mention the following Officers:- ... Mr Higgins, gunner, who ably commanded his Company...” The Naval force engaged was 10 officers, 121 seamen and stokers, 36 marines, 5 Kroomen, 5 seedies, 3 interpreters. Higgins subsequently took part in the operations at Jongeni.

Higgins was sentenced by Court Martial of 3 March 1899 to be deprived of 6 months seniority and to be dismissed his ship Wildfire, for drunkeness. He subsequently served aboard the Terrible, bound for China where he had been appointed additional to the Orlando. Whilst stationed in Natal he was for a while in charge of transport at Durban before continuing on to China, where he took part in the Seymour Expedition and was present at the capture of the Taku Forts on 17 June 1900.

His final appointment was to the Kinsha river steamer for service on the Yangtze from 16 September 1901. Higgins died in August or September 1902 (cause so far unknown) and his China medal is noted as having been ‘sent to Mrs G. Higgins 15/10/03.’