…will be Leonard Quigg, a committee member of the Glens of Antrim Historical Society, and the subject of his illustrated presentation will be “Robert Quigg V.C. – a Bushmills Hero.”
Rifleman (later Sergeant) Robert Quigg was a soldier in The Royal Irish Rifles during The Great War of 1914 – 1918 and he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his “conspicuous bravery” on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st July 1916.
Leonard Quigg, his great-nephew, is currently completing a book about the life and times of this local hero who survived the horrors of the Somme and went on to serve with his regiment until 1926, later returning to his native Giant’s Causeway where he became a well-known local “character.” Leonard is involved in the work of the Robert Quigg V.C. Commemoration Society, which aims to have a statue of the “Bushmills V.C.” erected in his home town on the centenary of the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st July 2016.
Would the Quiggs and McQuiggs be related in any way? McQuiggs and Quiggs were living in Antrim in the 18th century and perhaps 17th century. Robert is a family name in our McQuigg line.
I am descended from Henry McQuigg and Annie Horan (Rathlin Island) although I am wondering whether these McQuiggs may have moved to Rathlin from Northern Ireland.
Would welcome any information regarding this McQuigg family which now seems to spell its surname McCuaig or McCouaig.
Chris McCouaig