This memorial page is dedicated to John Wiggett, one of more than 725 war victims connected to the municipality of Deurne documented by Stichting Oorlogsslachtoffers. The municipality of Deurne and the surrounding villages of Liessel, Vlierden, Helenaveen, Neerkant and Zeilberg were liberated in the autumn of 1944 during heavy fighting. Victims fell on all sides: Allied soldiers from countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and New Zealand, and German soldiers.

But the archive covers more than just the combat victims on Deurne soil. Residents of Deurne who lost their lives elsewhere are also commemorated: civilians who were murdered in concentration camps, forced labourers who died in Germany, people who were executed or succumbed to the effects of persecution and oppression. In addition, residents of Deurne who entered German military service and were killed elsewhere are also included.

Stichting Oorlogsslachtoffers has been documenting the story of all these people since 1995, without distinction of nationality, side or background. The goal is to give every person a name and a face, and to keep their memory alive.

 

Name: Wiggett
First names: John
Nickname: –
Date of birth: –
Place of birth: Gloucestershire
Residence: 50 Hailes Street, Winchcombe
Rank / Occupation: Gunner
Identity tag: 14303415
Unit: Royal Artillery, 91st Anti-Tank Regiment.
Date of death: 26 November 1944
Place of death: Deurne
Cause of death: –
Cemetery: Mierlo War Cemetery
Memorial site: Winchcombe War Memorial (United Kingdom)

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Additional information

Grave location: VII. G. 4.

Aged 20. Son of Mr Harold (Midge) and Mrs Wiggett.

A letter of condolence from the regiment’s chaplain states … “He was on his way back from headquarters to his battery on his motorbike when he had an accident and was killed instantly. The Adjutant and I visited his grave, which is in a small cemetery not far from the village of Deurne, in Holland. Whilst we were there, some children came with flowers for his grave and planted a chrysanthemum at his feet. I’m sorry I didn’t know your son personally, as I’ve only been with the regiment for a week, but I know that the news of his death had an impact on the men here, which shows just how much he was loved …”

John Wiggett’s field grave was situated near the NAD Camp Wasberg, also known as Camp Wasberg, located between Langstraat and Suezlaan in Deurne

View all persons in the category: Allied soldiers killed in action