Napoleonic Newsdesk

Obituary: Richard Michael Arthur Higgs


Richard Michael Arthur Higgs born 31 August 1937 died 25 May 1996 at Southampton General Hospital.

After graduating from the Portsmouth College of Art where he specialised in fine art and sculpture, Dick Higgs as he was known, joined Sanderson Wallpapers as a wallpaper designer and in his spare time made master models for Miniature Figures of Southampton. In 1968 he became Design Director of the company and responsible for all the designs issued from then until forced into early retirement in 1990.

In partnership with Neville Dickinson who produced the models, Dick Higgs originated or invented in 1974 the now much abused but still very popular 25mm scale of figure which allowed the hobby to grow into the industry it is today. Although interested and knowledgeable in the Napoleonic period, Dick's talent for design covered from Ancient times to the beginning of the 20th century and whilst a brilliant model figure painter he relaxed with and preferred his love for landscape and portrait painting.

Believing the wargamer wanted to game with more models and with metal prices increasing daily, Dick designed a small range of 15mm British and French Napoleonic models which swept the hobby market and created a whole new concept or 'bandwagon' that many people jumped on.

Just when the fruits of his labours and abilities were proving an integral part of this hobby's history, Dick was forced, because of ill health, to retire from his work, from his hobby and from his love of design and art.

Dick Higgs died in his sleep on Saturday May 25th to gain the peace and relief from the pain he had endured for many years.

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© Copyright 1996 by First Empire.

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