As an orphaned boy he was adopted by his theatrical impresario uncle, John Ebers, friend of Dickens and Cruickshank. When grown up, went to Portugal for the war of dynastic succession there, then moved on to Spain for their wars of dynastic succession and was by then in the Spanish Army.
Was instrumental in setting up the British Cemetery in Madrid where he is buried. He died in 1880.
I'm including a piece on the British Cemetery (as it is now known) which I hope will be of interest. It would be handy to find a list of British soldiers who served in the Carlist Wars, but with the Legion as well as regular units, and taking into account that many of the soldiers were released felons, given the opportunity to serve rather than complete their sentences, it's needle in a haystack territory!
The following is from a contemporary news report. My English isn't that flowery!!
"The English Cemetery at Madrid is one of those quiet, lovely spots where one might wish to be laid when life's battles are over, and the body seeks rest in a foreign land. It is a 'God's Acre' in reality, not only in the sense of the sacredness of the city of the dead, but also because it covers exactly that space of ground, neither more nor less. Previous to 1854, the few English who died here were buried beneath the stalls of the horses in the Gas Works, such was the intolerance of the Catholic Government as to the interment of heretics. By the great exertions of Colonel George Fitch, permission was at last granted for the purchase of this little spot, and the British Government found the necessary funds. Since its opening, some 70 or 80 have been buried there, including a few Jews and Greeks, for whom special corners have been set apart. Under the fatherly care of the worthy Colonel, the little cemetery has assumed a pleasant appearance, and the cypress trees afford a quiet shade. On Saturday last, one of countrymen was buried there, almost all the English residents here attending, and a few Spaniards. The latter afterwards expressed themselves pleased with our simple but beautiful Church of England service which was read impressively by the Rev. J. R. Whyte, the resident chaplain to our embassy. Poor Higginson will be remembered with fond recollection by all who knew him. His death has cast a gloom over us all. He was an engineer, one of those men who carry their country's glories into peaceful fields and undertake industrial works for Spain which she cannot do for herself. Colonel Fitch has the satisfaction of seeing his success in respect of the cemetery, and has also the proud satisfaction of having lately received permission to erect a Protestant church in Madrid."
Hope this is of use and interest. Let me know, please!
