Ellerslie on Prospect Road, where Colonel Briggs lived (April 25th 2013)

Colonel Frederick Clifton Briggs lived in an imposing house in Prospect Road. 

He was the youngest son of the late Hon. Augustus Briggs, of Barbados.

Colonel Frederick Clifton Briggs was commanding the Garrison in Barrow, and lived in an imposing house in Prospect Road.  Most recently this was used by the Health Service, but is currently being renovated (from June 2013 to August 2024).  After a successful career in the Regular Army, and having retired, he volunteered at the beginning of the war.

Mrs Whitfield was the only woman amongst the founding members and the only member with an Irish address. She was also the largest founding donor, giving £5 on the formation of the Club. Mrs Whitfield, who also had a residence in London, was the widow of George Whitfield, Esq., JP of Modreeny, county Tipperary, Ireland, who died aged 71, in London, in 1892. In 1870 his estate at Modreeny was 443 acres. We know that Mrs Whitfield donated £20 to the West Indies Mansion House Hurricane Fund in 1889, and that her children married well: her eldest daughter Jessie marrying Frederick Clifton Briggs, Captain of the Devonshire Regiment and youngest son of the late Hon. Augustus Briggs, of Barbados; her youngest daughter Kathleen, marrying Sir Francis Osborne, Baronet, and her son George, marrying Violet Stoney, daughter of the late Deputy Surgeon General of Frankford, Ireland.   community-languages.org.uk p9

COLONEL F. C. BRIGGS

THE FUNERAL : AN IMPOSING SPECTACLE

We regret to chronicle the death of Colonel F. C. Briggs, Commander of the Barrow Garrison, which occurred on Saturday morning in a Barrow Nursing Home.  The sad news created a painful feeling in the town for the deceased had only been ill a week, and the end came with tradgic (sic) suddenness, following appendicitis.  Colonel Briggs only took up duty in Barrow two months ago as Commander, but he won the highest esteem of all who met him.  It is only a few weeks ago that the deceased officer delivered a most stirring and inspiring address on the war, at the local Volunteers Prize Distribution, calling for a more vigorous effort in its prosecution to a successful termination.  He was an officer of ripe experience, and had a most distinguished military career.  He saw active service in the Afghan and South African Wars, commanding the 2nd Devons during the latter campaign.  In November 1909 he retired, joining up again in 1914 and commanding the 8th Norfolks in France.  He served with great distinction, being mentioned in despatches, and in November 1915, he returned here, where he performed useful services training & recruiting troops.  Flags are flying at half-mast on the Town Hall, and other institutions in the town.  Colonel Briggs leaves a widow and a family of two daughters, who have received messages of condolence in their sad bereavement.

Almost 1500 soldiers attended the funeral after which the troops, headed by the band, marched to Ramsden-square, where they returned to their respective headquarters.

Lieut.-Col. Frederick Clifton Briggs … joined the regiment in August 1879, as a second lieutenant, and was given a brevet of lieutenant-colonel in November 1900. He served with the 11th Regiment in the Aghan War of 1879-80 (receiving the medal) and in the South African campaign in which he took part in (battles of Colenso, Upper Tugela, Vaal Krantz, Pieter’s Hill, Relief of Ladysmith, Botha’s Pass and Alleman’s Nek. He was twice mentioned in despatches, received the brevet of lieutenant-colonel, and was awarded the medal with five clasps.