Huggett was born in the Brookland/Brenzett, Kent area (Romney Marshes) in 1888, the eldest child of William and Elizabeth Harriett Huggett. In total William and Elizabeth had 14 children and by 1911 the family were living at Preston Hill Farm, Shoreham. At the time of his enlistment James was living in Hastings, where he also enlisted, and served during the Great War with the 11th (1st South Down) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment.  He was probably with this unit when they proceeded to the Western Front on 4th March 1916 and remained with them until he was killed in action on the 11th May 1916 at Le Touret, France.  He was buried in Plot 3, Row F, Grave 6 in Le Touret Military Cemetery, Richebourg-l’Avoue, France. James' name is also recorded on the Roll of Honour in St Augustines Church, Brookland, Kent and on the War Memorial within St Eanswith’s (St Eanswythe) Church, Brenzett.

Mick Huggett