Wilfred Rigby was born at 28 Pitt Street, East Burslem on the 1st November 1918. His parents being Noah Rigby born on the 6th October 1895 at Goldenhill, Staffordshire to Henry and Elizabeth Rigby  and Elizabeth Rigby Nee Jolley  born 4th February 1897 at Burslem, Staffordshire. They had married in the 1st quarter of 1916

Interestingly his father Noah had served during WW1 having enlisted on the 29th February 1916 with the Lincolnshire regiment but was soon transferred to the 42nd Labour Company, his given occupation Glost Placer with Richardson's of Tunstall, his address 5 Bailey Square, Burslem. He entered France 24th March 1917. He was discharged to colliery work at the Chatterley Whitfield Colliery in 1918 and to full discharge 6th February 1919. For his service he was awarded the British War medal and victory Medal. 

Wilfred first appears in the Census record of 1921 as a 2 year old living at 22 Pitt Street, East Burslem, the home address of his grandmother Elizabeth Jolley  born Circa 1863. Others present are Noah Rigby, Elizabeth Rigby and Elizabeth's sister Myra Jolley  born Circa 1902. Elizabeth's father Joseph Jolley  is shown as deceased. All the adults here have occupations associated with the potteries but particularly Elizabeth Jolley and Elizabeth Riby both work at Royal Doulton and Joseph Jolley ( deceased) had worked at Royal Doulton.  

Wilfred attended Middleport Senior School until 1932

Wilfred's family moved to 28 Collinson Road, Goldenhill in Stoke on Trent before moving again to 39 Wharf Street, Middleport, Burslem. 

Wilfred had 2 known siblings, Douglas Rigby  born Stoke on Trent 1928-2016 and Kenneth 1923. 

In 1939 the Census shows Wilfred living at 39 Wharf Street, Longton, Staffordshire with his mother Elizabeth Rigby and his occupation given as Pottery Glost Placer, this is a stacker of pottery in ovens. His father, Noah had died in the first quarter of 1939. 

Wilfred joined the army on the 20th October 1939 with the 6th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment, a territorial battalion formed at the outbreak of the war and contemporary newspaper articles inform us that at the time of his death he had served for 5 years

He married Hilda Machin (19.11.1916) on the 7th January 1940 and at the time of Wilfred's death they were living at 45 Wellington Street, Burslem. We know he had one son called Geoffrey who was born a month after Wilfred's death. 

Wilfred was killed on the 6th October 1944 at the Veerhuis in Oeffelt and was buried at Haps, Holland. 

A newspaper article from the Staffordshire Sentinel dated 1st November 1944 reports the death of Wilfred, husband of Hilda Rigby 45 Wellington Street Burslem and further informs us that on the outbreak of war he had been employed by Messrs Doulton and Company Ltd, Burslem. 

Wilfred was reburied in 1947 at the Overloon War Cemetery, Holland grave number 1.D.4.

He is also remembered on the Royal Doulton Memorial Burslem. 

For his sacrifice he was awarded the 1939-45 Star, France Germany Star and War Medal.

With thanks to  Anny Huberts of the Overloon War Chronicles Foundation.