Frederick Charles Riggs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
VC MM
Frederick Charles Riggs
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| Born | 28 July 1888 Bournemouth, Hampshire |
| Died | 1 October 1918 (aged 30) Near Epinoy, France |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | The York and Lancaster Regiment |
| Battles/wars | First World War |
| Awards |  Victoria CrossMilitary Medal |
Frederick Charles Riggs was a very brave English soldier. He lived from 1888 to 1918. He received the Victoria Cross (VC) and the Military Medal (MM). The Victoria Cross is the highest award for amazing courage in the British military. It is given for incredible bravery when facing the enemy.
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Frederick Riggs' Early Life
Frederick Riggs was born in Springbourne, Bournemouth, England. When he was about five years old, Mrs. G. Burgum adopted him. He grew up in the Malmesbury Park area of Bournemouth.
He lived at 39 Capstone Road. He went to Malmesbury Park Primary School. There is a special memorial for him inside the school today.
Sergeant Riggs' Bravery in World War I
Frederick Riggs was 30 years old during the First World War. He was a Sergeant in the 6th Battalion of The York and Lancaster Regiment. He showed incredible bravery during the Battle of the Canal du Nord in France. This is why he received the Victoria Cross.
His Actions Near Epinoy, France
On October 1, 1918, near Epinoy, France, Sergeant Riggs led his soldiers forward. They faced very strong wire fences that had not been cut. Enemy soldiers were firing heavily at them.
Sergeant Riggs kept going, even though many of his men were hurt by gunfire from the sides. He successfully reached his goal. There, he captured an enemy machine-gun.
Later, he used two captured machine-guns very well. His actions made 50 enemy soldiers give up.
His Final Act of Courage
After a while, the enemy soldiers attacked again with many troops. Sergeant Riggs bravely encouraged his men. He told them to keep fighting until the very end. While he was doing this, he was killed in action.
The Victoria Cross Medal
Sergeant Frederick Riggs' Victoria Cross is a very important medal. You can see it on display at The York and Lancaster Regiment Museum. This museum is inside the Clifton Park Museum in Rotherham, England.
