FATHER OF SOLDIERS.

Mt Benger Mail, 9 December 1914, Page 3

FATHER OF SOLDIERS.

In his cottage in Church Street, Leeds, a white-haired and bearded old soldier sits lor hours each day reading the war news. He is Mr Stephen S. Piggins, seed 79, who was in the Army for 49 years, serving in the Crimea and in India during the Mutiny. No fewer than five sons, five stepsons, and seven grandsons have served or are serving with the colors. The aggregate service of Mr Piggins and his descendants is 272 years. At one time three generations of the family were serving at the same time, and more thail halt his eons and grandsons are engaged in the present war. Two of his daughters married soldiers, and his wife was the daughter of a soldier.

"I have done my little bit for my country, but I wish I could do something now," said the veteran. "I'm sure I could shoot straight. My record and the soldiering record of my family oame to the notice of Queen Victoria, and T war granted a spocial pensiom"