AB I16

Sacred to the memory of

Captain Francis Chantrey Wiggins

70th Reg. D.M. Bengal Army

who died 5th June 1861

aged 38

Thy Will Be Done

We know he started as a cadet and there are relevant papers, ref: Wiggins Francis Chantrey IOR/L/MIL/9/196/796-800 1952022

In 1841 he listed in The East-India Register and Army List as an ensign - F.C.Wiggins, 31 May1841.

London Gazette, Dated 8th March,1856
Promoted to Captain
Francis Chantrey Wiggins.

There does not appear to have been a 70th Bombay Regiment, (see next column) so the second notice would seem to be correct, and he was a Captain in the 70th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry which in 1861 became the 11th Bengal Native Infantry.

Hampshire Advertiser, Saturday 06 July 1861
Deaths
On the 5th instant, in Oxford-street, Southampton, Francis Chantrey Wiggins, Captain 70th Bombay Infantry, aged 39.

Morning Chronicle - Thursday 11 July 1861
Deaths
On the 5th inst., at Southamton, Captain Chantrey Wiggins, 70th Regiment Bengal Native Infantry, in the 39th year of his age.

But how did he die, and why was he buried in Hastings?