On 2 January 1946, he was at an ammunition depot in Savernake Forest when ammunition being loaded from lorries into railway trucks caught fire. A three-ton lorry, and two twenty-tonne railway wagons were destroyed almost immediately. Secondary explosions then destroyed two more lorries and 27 wagons. In addition to the train being loaded, there was also a fully loaded train in the freight yard, in all 96 wagons, containing 2000 tons of explosive, were threatened by the blaze. It is probable that had all this material been detonated, in addition to killing all the personnel present, severe damage would have been caused to the nearby town of Marlborough. The first person on the scene to attempt to control the situation was Staff SergeantSidney George Rogerson. Rogerson organised the removal of the most seriously wounded, and personally rescued several from under the burning trucks. Biggs then arrived on the scene, and took command as the senior officer present. He rallied the men, despite the threat posed by the cordite charges of the shells being set off by the heat, firing them at random. He personally uncoupled one blazing wagon, with the assistance of another officer, pushed it to a safe distance, and extinguished it. Due to their efforts 69 wagons of ammunition were saved, it took until late morning on 3 January for the last fires to be extinguished. Even then, unexploded shells and detonators left the area, which was now reminiscent of a First World War battlefield, extremely hazardous. In addition to GCs for Biggs and Rogerson, an MBE, two George Medals and five British Empire Medals were awarded to those present. Biggs also received the Bronze Star, as a proportion of the ammunition was American. The award was announced in the London Gazette of 8 October 1946, with the citation dated 11 October 1946: He received his medal from the George VI at Buckingham Palace on 10 December 1946.
On 22 February 1946 at the US Army HQ, Colonel Thele US Army, on behalf of the President of the United States of America, presented the Bronze Star Medal for gallant conduct to Major Kenneth A Biggs RAOC: Major Kenneth A Biggs, Army Serial No 173490, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, British Army, distinguished himself by meritorious achievement of service at the North Savernake Railhead, Savernake Ammunition Depot, Marlborough, Wilts, England, on 2 January 1946. Major Biggs displayed exceptional devotion to duty by assisting to save valuable equipment and ammunition with complete disregard for his personal safety. The superior devotion to duty and leadership displayed by Major Biggs reflects very high credit on him and the Armed Forces of the British Army.
Later life
After demobilisation he returned to his banking career, becoming a bank manager for Midland Bank, initially in the Sloane Square branch, and later in Muswell Hill and Edmonton. He retired in 1971, initially moving to Stockland, Devon. He eventually returned to Ewhurst, Surrey. His wife, Jane, died in 1995. Biggs died on 11 January 1998.
