Lawrence Raikes Higgins

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Lieutenant-Commander Lawrence Raikes Higgins, (5 March, 1890 – 25 January, 1930) served in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

The son of Reverend F. M. Higgins.

Higgins was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 1 April, 1912. At the Battle of Jutland, he was in the scout cruiser Active. Immediately after the battle, he was re-appointed in her as gunnery officer and remained until being sent to Agincourt on 2 August, 1916. He served in her until June 1918 and then was sent to the light cruiser Glasgow.

Higgins was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 1 April, 1922.

Following his adultery, in which he slept with his wife's sister, Eve Japp, he was divorced in June, 1928. The Times recorded,[1]

"Mr. Justice Hill, in giving judgment, said that this was a most shocking case. It was difficult to believe that a man who held a commission in the Navy could behave in such a disgraceful way. He was a disgrace to the Navy."

Higgins was retired at his own request with gratuity on 4 July 1929.

Higgins was found dead in a "bedroom full of gas" on 25 January, 1930 at Wilson Road in Southend, Essex.

See Also

Bibliography

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Richard L. Fortier
Captain of H.M.S. Atherstone
21 Jul, 1921[2] – 14 Sep, 1921
Succeeded by
John W. C. O. Shelton
Preceded by
Frederic G. Schurr
Captain of H.M.S. Steadfast
mid 1927
Succeeded by
Thomas C. A. H. Ouchterlony

Footnotes

  1. "Probate, Divorce, And Admiralty Division." The Times (London, England), 8 June 1928, p. 5.
  2. "Naval Appointments." The Times (London, England), Monday, Jul 25, 1921; pg. 18; Issue 42781.