"Exeter and Plymouth Gazette" 2 Feb 1927:
FATHER OF THE GUARDS
The centenarian's is but a fickle honour, and today the Brigade of Guards mourns the demise of its oldest comrade, General Sir George Higginson, whose 100th birthday celebrations last June turned the pretty town of Marlow, on the nicest reach of the Thames, into carnival array. The veteran's earliest memory is being patted on the head by George IV. His last was attended, spruce and uniformed, the unveiling of the Guards' great War Memorial in St. James's Park. As a small boy out in Rotten Row with his nurse, the future Crimean campaigner used to touch his cap to the great Duke of Wellington, riding past on his old charger, and always received a smart return salute from the man who beat Napoleon at Waterloo. Sir George loved the Guards, and especially his own regiment, the Grenadiers. He was the model for the mounted officer in Lady Butler's famous war picture, "The Roll Call." A wonderful link has been snapped with a past that begins to fade like an old photo. The last eyes are now closed that witnessed the burning down of the old Houses of Parliament.
"Yorkshire Post" 4 Feb 1927:
GENERAL HIGGINSON'S FUNERAL
An officer who was present at General Sir George Higginson's funeral at Marlow today, writes: "The little town rendered its homage with unassuming sincerity, and no amount of display could have been so impressive as the extreme simplicity with which the whole ceremony was conducted. Grenadiers supplied that military touch without which a soldier's funeral is incomplete, but the military arrangements were on the most modest scale, and the three farewell volleys and the "Last Post" were such as are accorded to the humblest private.
Those who listened to the beautiful 23rd Psalm and the words of that fine hymn, "Light at evening time," appreciated how apposite they were to one who for so many years had worshiped in the church in whose shadow now his body lies. In these days of glare and colour, even in death, this last service was in keeping with the quiet, typically humble English life of a gallant soldier and courteous gentleman.
FATHER OF THE GUARDS
The centenarian's is but a fickle honour, and today the Brigade of Guards mourns the demise of its oldest comrade, General Sir George Higginson, whose 100th birthday celebrations last June turned the pretty town of Marlow, on the nicest reach of the Thames, into carnival array. The veteran's earliest memory is being patted on the head by George IV. His last was attended, spruce and uniformed, the unveiling of the Guards' great War Memorial in St. James's Park. As a small boy out in Rotten Row with his nurse, the future Crimean campaigner used to touch his cap to the great Duke of Wellington, riding past on his old charger, and always received a smart return salute from the man who beat Napoleon at Waterloo. Sir George loved the Guards, and especially his own regiment, the Grenadiers. He was the model for the mounted officer in Lady Butler's famous war picture, "The Roll Call." A wonderful link has been snapped with a past that begins to fade like an old photo. The last eyes are now closed that witnessed the burning down of the old Houses of Parliament.
"Yorkshire Post" 4 Feb 1927:
GENERAL HIGGINSON'S FUNERAL
An officer who was present at General Sir George Higginson's funeral at Marlow today, writes: "The little town rendered its homage with unassuming sincerity, and no amount of display could have been so impressive as the extreme simplicity with which the whole ceremony was conducted. Grenadiers supplied that military touch without which a soldier's funeral is incomplete, but the military arrangements were on the most modest scale, and the three farewell volleys and the "Last Post" were such as are accorded to the humblest private.
Those who listened to the beautiful 23rd Psalm and the words of that fine hymn, "Light at evening time," appreciated how apposite they were to one who for so many years had worshiped in the church in whose shadow now his body lies. In these days of glare and colour, even in death, this last service was in keeping with the quiet, typically humble English life of a gallant soldier and courteous gentleman.
"Exeter and Plymouth Gazette" 2 Feb 1927:
FATHER OF THE GUARDS
The centenarian's is but a fickle honour, and today the Brigade of Guards mourns the demise of its oldest comrade, General Sir George Higginson, whose 100th birthday celebrations last June turned the pretty town of Marlow, on the nicest reach of the Thames, into carnival array. The veteran's earliest memory is being patted on the head by George IV. His last was attended, spruce and uniformed, the unveiling of the Guards' great War Memorial in St. James's Park. As a small boy out in Rotten Row with his nurse, the future Crimean campaigner used to touch his cap to the great Duke of Wellington, riding past on his old charger, and always received a smart return salute from the man who beat Napoleon at Waterloo. Sir George loved the Guards, and especially his own regiment, the Grenadiers. He was the model for the mounted officer in Lady Butler's famous war picture, "The Roll Call." A wonderful link has been snapped with a past that begins to fade like an old photo. The last eyes are now closed that witnessed the burning down of the old Houses of Parliament.
"Yorkshire Post" 4 Feb 1927:
GENERAL HIGGINSON'S FUNERAL
An officer who was present at General Sir George Higginson's funeral at Marlow today, writes: "The little town rendered its homage with unassuming sincerity, and no amount of display could have been so impressive as the extreme simplicity with which the whole ceremony was conducted. Grenadiers supplied that military touch without which a soldier's funeral is incomplete, but the military arrangements were on the most modest scale, and the three farewell volleys and the "Last Post" were such as are accorded to the humblest private.
Those who listened to the beautiful 23rd Psalm and the words of that fine hymn, "Light at evening time," appreciated how apposite they were to one who for so many years had worshiped in the church in whose shadow now his body lies. In these days of glare and colour, even in death, this last service was in keeping with the quiet, typically humble English life of a gallant soldier and courteous gentleman.
FATHER OF THE GUARDS
The centenarian's is but a fickle honour, and today the Brigade of Guards mourns the demise of its oldest comrade, General Sir George Higginson, whose 100th birthday celebrations last June turned the pretty town of Marlow, on the nicest reach of the Thames, into carnival array. The veteran's earliest memory is being patted on the head by George IV. His last was attended, spruce and uniformed, the unveiling of the Guards' great War Memorial in St. James's Park. As a small boy out in Rotten Row with his nurse, the future Crimean campaigner used to touch his cap to the great Duke of Wellington, riding past on his old charger, and always received a smart return salute from the man who beat Napoleon at Waterloo. Sir George loved the Guards, and especially his own regiment, the Grenadiers. He was the model for the mounted officer in Lady Butler's famous war picture, "The Roll Call." A wonderful link has been snapped with a past that begins to fade like an old photo. The last eyes are now closed that witnessed the burning down of the old Houses of Parliament.
"Yorkshire Post" 4 Feb 1927:
GENERAL HIGGINSON'S FUNERAL
An officer who was present at General Sir George Higginson's funeral at Marlow today, writes: "The little town rendered its homage with unassuming sincerity, and no amount of display could have been so impressive as the extreme simplicity with which the whole ceremony was conducted. Grenadiers supplied that military touch without which a soldier's funeral is incomplete, but the military arrangements were on the most modest scale, and the three farewell volleys and the "Last Post" were such as are accorded to the humblest private.
Those who listened to the beautiful 23rd Psalm and the words of that fine hymn, "Light at evening time," appreciated how apposite they were to one who for so many years had worshiped in the church in whose shadow now his body lies. In these days of glare and colour, even in death, this last service was in keeping with the quiet, typically humble English life of a gallant soldier and courteous gentleman.
Inscription
George Wentworth Alexander Higginson
General C.C.B. G.C.V.O.
Son of
General and Lady Frances Higginson
He served with the Grenadier Guards
Throughout the Crimean Campaign:
Born June 21: 1826 Died February 1: 1927
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