Cadet Francis Edward Higgerty

1. Cadet (British Army).
2. Private (Army). 1918-03-29 to 1918-09-21

Prior service - Canadian Officer Training Corps, University of Toronto

Francis Edward Higgerty was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on 22 April 1887, the son of Henry and Jane (McCormick) Higgerty. He was educated at St. Patrick's Boys' School and University of Ottawa, Ontario. As a law student he articled with barrister Edward P. Gleeson, Ottawa, and Hellmuth, Cattanach & Meredith, Toronto. He was called to the bar 22 September 1913, joined the firm of Chrysler & Bethune in September 1914 and entered into partnership with Francis H. Chrysler in November 1915. He was a member of the Carleton Lawn Tennis Club, Ottawa Rowing Club, Ottawa Reform Association, Young Mans Liberal Club of Ottawa and National Geographic Society of America. He enjoyed fishing, skating, skiing, shooting, sliding, and cross country walking. On 28 March 1918 he joined the 2nd Battalion, Eastern Ontario Regiment of the Canadian Army. Higgerty started with the rank of private. He was 5ft 10 ins in height, had blue eyes, black hair and a ruddy complexion. At some point during 1918 he applied for, and was granted, a commission in the British Army. He was discharged from the Canadian Army and sailed for England. Before taking up his commission he decided to visit Ireland. He was among those who were lost on the Leinster. He is buried in Ottawa (Notre Dame) Roman Catholic Cemetery: Sec. Z Lot 1677, Ontario, Canada.