Lieutenant-Colonel J.F. Higson
2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment

This comparatively young officer, who has only 8 yrs service, was acting 2 i/c of the Bn during the operations on Ed Duda. Throughout the whole period of operations he was if the greatest value, both in the Bn HQ area … also in the forward areas he was of the greatest value, visiting and directing the work of forward Coys under fire, in organising the defences and co-ordinating the work of the various arms. All of this was done under considerable strain and with very little sleep.

(M.C. citation, 24 February 1942)

Born in Norwich, Norfolk on 21 November 1913, John Frederick Higson was a commissioned officer in the Essex Regiment since 1933. He served with the 1st Battalion in the Western Desert campaign and as second-in-command earned the Military Cross for “conspicuous gallantry” in late November 1941 at Ed Duda near Tobruk. In one instance, he attacked two enemy trucks but when his Bren gun jammed, “he jumped out of the carrier, rushed up alone, stopped one lorry and took the driver prisoner.”

After the North African theatre, Higson was posted to the 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment as second-in-command in October 1943. He succeeded Lieutenant-Colonel L.W.W. Marriott at the end of March 1944. The war diary recorded: “The loss of Lieutenant-Colonel Marriott, who has spent the greater part of his service with the Battalion, was deeply regretted by all ranks. His untiring efforts, together with his vast experience, have done much to maintain a high standard within the unit. His fairness and tact in all his dealings have contributed much to the good feeling within the unit.”

The 2nd Essex deployed to Normandy on D-Day as a part of the 56th Independent Infantry Brigade. The next week resulted in heavy casualties from fierce and confused fighting against German armour. Although he personally behaved bravely and at one point carried a wounded man to safety, higher command lost confidence in his leadership and judgment. He was held responsible for ordering an advance without anti-tank support. After just a week in action, Higson was relieved and replaced by second-in-command Major G.G. Elliott on 12 June 1944. Elliott would receive the D.S.O. for restoring “what at one time looked like being a disastrous situation.”

Despite the removal from command, Higson ended the war as brigade major for the 56th Brigade. He retired from the army in 1952. In civilian life, he worked at Belle Vue Racecourse, before becoming general manager for Powderhall Stadium and then general manager for White City Stadium in the 1960s.

He died on 9 July 1994 in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.