The unique Suez Canal Zone operations Pioneer officer casualty medal awarded to Captain J. Higgins, Royal Pioneer Corps. Commissioned in 1941, he saw service during the Second World War, and then out in Malaya during the Malayan Emergency. It was however whilst on service in Egypt during the Suez Canal Zone operations as a member of the 904th Pioneer and Civil Labour Unit that Higgins died on active service on 3rd October 1952, most probably as the result of a motor vehicle accident. He is the only officer out of only three members of the Royal Pioneer Corps to die during the operations in Suez. However his death was initially erroneously listed for Malaya by the Medal Office.
General Service Medal 1918-1962, GVI 2nd type bust, 1 Clasp: Malaya; (CAPT. J. HIGGINS. R.P.C.), housed in its card box of issue, and together with the Army Council Transmittance and Condolence Slip for a casualty, typed details for ‘Malaya’ and ‘Capt. J. Higgins R.P.C.’, and also the forwarding envelope addressed to his next-of-kin - Mrs. M.M. Higgins, 8, Dicken’s Rd, Broadstairs, Kent.’
Condition: Extremely Fine.
James Higgins was born on 30th May 1911, and was first commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant (No.214468) into the Pioneer Corps on 27th October 1941. Higgins then saw service during the Second World War, before being promoted from 2nd Lieutenant and war substantive Captain to Captain in the Royal Pioneer Corps on 1st January 1947, with seniority back dated to 1st March 1944, the date of his original promotion to war substantive Captain. As such Higgins saw service in Malaya during the Malayan Emergency, but it was whilst on service in Suez during the Canal Zone Operations that he was killed, most probably in a motor vehicle accident, whilst on service in Egypt on 3rd October 1952. At the time of his death he was serving with the 904th Pioneer and Civil Labour Unit. He is buried in Fayid War Cemetery, Egypt, and is also commemorated on the National Arboretum at Alrewas.
Interestingly, and clearly in error, his condolence slip states that he was a casualty for Malaya. He however would be entitled to the belatedly issued ‘Canal Zone’ clasp if a family member had claimed post its issued in 2003. Higgins is the only officer of the Royal Pioneer Corps to die on service in Suez, though a further two other ranks of this Corps did lose their lives during the operations.
