Roland Higgins was born in Peak Hill, NSW on 11 February 1897. A student at his time of enlistment, Higgins is acknowledged in the West Australian as a member of Teaching College soccer cohort but likely played at an unreported lower age level. A player named Higgins turned out for the Perth Boys school in 1914.
During the war Higgins spent much of his time in England only briefly serving in France. Later in his life Higgins felt he was due a 1914/15 Star but was denied, despite the fact he had enlisted in June 1915.
Roland Higgins returned to NSW after the war, and was appointed to the Governement Insurance Office on 30 December 1919. He lived in Roseville and died on 26 July 1972.