John Higgins was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, England, on the 8th June 1895, the son of Matthew and Bridget O’Higgins (née McCartan), and one of ten children – seven of whom were surviving in 1911. His father was a labourer and in 1915, the family home was at 12, Buchanan Road, Sefton, Liverpool, Lancashire.
His parents were Irish immigrants, and it would appear that they began to omit the “O” from their name sometime after their arrival in Liverpool. Although his parents married in Ireland, all of their children were born in Liverpool.
John Higgins served as a sculleryman in the Stewards' Department on board the final voyage of the Lusitania and he was killed when she was sunk. He was aged 19 years.
His body was never found and identified afterwards, and consequently, he is commemorated on the Mercantile Marine War Memorial at Tower Hill, London.
Register of Births, Marriages, and Deaths, Liverpool England Catholic Baptisms 1741 – 1919, 1901 Census of England, 1911 Census of England, Cunard Records, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, PRO BT 100/345, PRO BT 334, Deaths at Sea 1871 – 1968, Graham Maddocks, Geoff Whitfield, Michael Poirier, Jim Kalafus, Cliff Barry, Paul Latimer, Norman Gray.
Copyright © Peter Kelly.
Revised & Updated – 9th January 2024.