Pfc. Wignall was born in Manchester, England, on 25 June, 1910; emigrated to the US in September, 1929, and became a naturalized citizen in September, 1937, a resident of Beverly, Massachusetts at that time. He served in the Massachusetts State Guard for three years, attaining the rank of sergeant, prior to enlisting in the US Army in December, 1943. He was assigned to the 318th Regt. as a replacement following the Battle of Argentan at the end of August, 1944, and served with that unit as a part of Gen. George Patton's Third Army during the period of the drive across France, on two occasions, as a member of 1st bn., detached to the 4th Armored Div. as support infantry.

He was killed in the attack on the high ground north of Farebersviller on 4 Dec., at the beginning of the final phase of the Lorraine Offensive. Temporarily interred at the US Military Cemetery at Limey, France, he was later moved to the Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold, about five miles west of where he fell.