16813 Private John Charles Biggar, 31/1/1875-23/1/1918. "people lined the streets"

John Biggar was working as a carpenter for the Public Works Department, building the Opawa River bridge at Blenheim, when he joined the Army at the end of 1915.  Probably due to his age - just over 40 - he was assigned to the Quartermasters Stores.  He was not the best of soldiers, having four strikes on his Army record for drunkenness.

The cause of John's death is not recorded in his records, though a Medical Board notes an inability to swallow which was causing him to lose weight. The reference to Dr Barnett is of interest, and a brief biography published when he was knighted in 1927 refers to publications on the subjects of hydatids and the treatment of cancer with radiation.

It is possible, then, that John Biggar died from a tumour in his throat.

Private J. C. Biggar, a returned soldier who died in the Dunedin Hospital yesterday, will be accorded a military funeral on Sunday. He was a son. of the late Mr John Biggar, of Kaikorai Valley.   -Evening Star, 24/1/1918.

Deaths

BIGGAR. — On January 23, 1918, at Dunedin, John Charles, dearly beloved fifth, son of the late John and Catherine Biggar, of Kaikorai Valley. "At rest."  -Otago Daily Times, 24/1/1918.

A soldier named Private J. C. Biggar, son of the late Mr John Biggar, Kaikorai Valley, died in the Dunedin Hospital on Wednesday. He went into camp with the 10th Reinforcements in November, 1915. He was, however, detained in New Zealand by a serious sickness in his family. He was employed in the Quartermaster's Stores at Featherston. He took ill and came to Dunedin nine weeks ago to consult Dr Barnett, and had been in the Hospital ever since. He made no progress towards recovery. His remains will be accorded a military funeral.  -Otago Daily Times, 25/1/1918.

A military funeral was yesterday accorded the late Private J. C. Biggar, a returned soldier, who died in the Dunedin Hospital. The cortege, which left the residence of the deceased soldier's parents, 8 Gamma street, was a lengthy one, and a large number of people lined the streets en route to the Northern Cemetery, where the interment took place. The Band of the 4th Regiment, under Lieutenant George, headed the procession, which included some 50 returned soldiers. The firing party was also drawn from the ranks of the returned soldiers, who were in charge of Lieutenant McDougall. Major Fleming and Captain Myers, who had charge of the funeral arrangements, represented the Defence Department. The Rev. W. Greenslade officiated at the house and the graveside.  -Otago Daily Times, 28/1/1918.

Northern Cemetery, Dunedin.