Mary Higgins (buried 1932)

At a glance

At a glance
Surname: 
Higgins
First name: 
Mary
Other Christian names: 
Gender: 
Female
Children: 
Yes
Burial number: 
1541
Born: 
1/2/1895
Died: 
20/04/1932
Buried: 
23/04/1932
Occupation: 
Missionary and teacher
Heene Hallmark: 
No
Commonwealth War Grave: 
No

The Grave

The grave
Image of the headstone for Mary Higgins
Cemetery area: 
SWS
Cemetery row: 
1
Cemetery plot: 
12
what3words location: 
https://what3words.com/blows.duck.audit
Burial remains: 
Unknown
The headstone
Endowed grave: 
Yes
Headstone description: 
EndowedGrave: Cut grass and keep tidy
Headstone inscription: 
Mary wife of Bernard Higgins daughter of Walter and Rosa Mary Harcourt Feb 1st 1895 - April 20th 1932 R.I.P.

Life story

Life story

Mary was born in Houghton St Giles, Norfolk, the daughter of the Rev. Walter Harcourt and his wife Rosa Mary. She was baptised at Houghton St Giles on 25 February 1895 by her father. Mary was taught at All Hallows, Ditchingham in Norfolk. Although an orphanage, the school received respectable girls for training as teachers, domestic servants etc. On 12th September 1924, Mary sailed on the "Arundel Castle" for South Africa. Her occupation was listed as "teacher". She returned to England for a short while but returned to South Africa in 1928. Her occupation was listed as "missionary". Mary married the Rev. Bernard Higgins at Broken Hill, Northern Rhodesia in 1931. Both worked for the Universities Mission to Central Africa. They returned to England in the Summer of 1931 when Bernard was appointed Curate of St Botolph's, Heene with charge of St John's Mission in Ripley Road. They moved into 54 Pembroke Avenue. On 26th March 1932, Mary gave birth to a son, John. Sadly, John died on 10th April and was buried at Heene on 13th April. Mary died at Swandean Hospital on 20th April suffering from Scarlet Fever and complications following John's birth. No probate. Bernard returned to Northern Rhodesia in 1933.

Burial researcher: 
Carol Sullivan

Further information

Birth
Date born: 
01/02/1895
Marriage
Maiden name: 
Harcourt
Marriage 1
Spouse one first names: 
Bernard
Spouse one last name: 
Higgins
Marriage one date: 
00/00/1931
Marriage one address: 
Broken Hill, Northern Rhodesia

Death

Death (details)
Date of death: 
20/04/1932
Age (at time of death): 
36
Cause of death: 
Septicaemia. Scarlet fever. Metritis (puerperium). Peritonitis. Pneumonia.
Address at time of death: 
Swandean Hospital, Arundel Road, Worthing, Sussex, England
Obituary

Worthing Herald 30th April 1932

FUNERAL OF MRS B. HIGGINS

FORMERLY WORKED WITH HUSBAND IN RHODESIA

CURATE’S DOUBLE LOSS

The funeral of Mrs Higgins, wife of .Bernard Higgins curate of St Botolph's Heene who died at Swandean Hospital last week, at the age of 37, took place on Saturday at St Botolph's Church, the interment being at Heene cemetery. The loss of his wife was Mr Higgins second bereavement in that his infant son having died nine days previously. Mr Higgins and his wife were missionaries together for the Universities Missions to Central Africa in Northern Rhodesia, before coming to Worthing last year They were married last July at Broken Hill, and sailed for England the autumn, when Mr Higgins became curate at Heene, in charge of St John's. Mrs Higgins was the daughter of the Rev and Mrs W. Harcourt, of Wighton, Norfolk. The service at the church was conducted by the Rev. E. A. Haviland (rector) and there was a large congregation.

Mourners and Wreaths. The principal mourners were: The Rev. Bernard Higgins (widower), Mrs Harcourt and Miss Harcourt (mother and sister), the Rev. P. M. Higgins (father-in-law), Mr C. T. Higgins (brother-in-law), and Mrs Higgins, the Rev. and Mrs T. D. Raikes. Lieut.- Colonel J. R. H. Allen (uncle). Wreaths were sent by: The widower; her parents and sister; the Rev. P. M. Higgins; Mr and Mrs C. T. Higgins; the Rev and Mrs T. D. Raikes; Lieut.- Colonel J. R. H. Allen. The Rev. and Mrs E. A. Haviland; St John's (Chapel-of-Ease) congregation and choir; Heene Parochial Church Council; St John's Mothers' Meeting; Miss Matthew (Brighton); Mrs Mowbray (Brighton); Mrs White and family (Broadstone); Mrs Wheat (Malvern); Mis Hill (Romsey); Mr and Mrs Howard (Warnham); Mrs Dobree and daughters: Apsley Farm. Mrs Hudson (Wighton); Miss Taylor (Buxted); Miss Ellis Cox . Mrs Reeve (Horsham); Mr and Mrs Cory; Mrs Culver and family; Mr and Mrs Evelyn; the Rev. and Mrs Hutton Bell; Mr and Mrs James Smith; Mr and Mrs Barber-Starkey. Mrs Robert Towers; Miss E. U Chrestien; Miss Blackburn; Mr and Mrs Leonard Harris; the Misses Baker.

Census and miscellaneous information

Census information
1901 census: 

13 Severn Street, Leicester

Mary aged 6, visitor with her aunt Elizabeth Mary Harcourt to the house of Ernest Partridge aged 32, cigar manufacturer.

1911 census: 

All Hallows Orphanage, Ditchingham, Norfolk.

Mary aged 15, inmate, school pupil.

Besides an orphanage, All Hallows also received respectable girls for training as teachers, domestic servants etc.

1921 census: 

Living at 1, Eastwood Road, Bramley, Surrey.

Alice Mary Cecilia White, Head, Female, 28, Assistant Teacher Surrey Education Committee

Mary Harcourt,  Boarder, Female, 26,  Assistant Teacher Surrey Education Committee