Pte Arthur William Biggs, 46000, 11th Battalion Essex Regiment, was killed in action in France on March 21st, 1918. He was single and just approaching his 20th birthday.

Parents William and Sarah Elizabeth Biggs, of 23 Vicarage Street, Luton, were informed that their only son was wounded and missing but were unable to find out more at the time, and no messages had arrived from his comrades.

It was not until nearly a year later that Mr and Mrs Biggs learned that their son had been killed in action in March 1918 and that he had been buried in the Vaulx-Vraucourt area. The location of the grave was presumably later lost.

Arthur Biggs was an old boy of Luton Modern School who, prior to enlisting in December 1916, was an analytical chemist employed by Messrs B. Laporte Ltd. After a short period of military training at Dorchester he proceeded to Longbridge Deverill, near Warminster, Hants, and rose to corporal with the 43rd Training Reserve Brigade. He went to France on January 19th, 1918, and was transferred to the Essex Regiment.

He is commemorated on the Luton Roll of Honour/War Memorial, on the memorial of the former Luton Modern School that is now on display at Stockwood Discovery Centre, and in the Luton Book of Life created at the Parish Church.