Military History

Arnold was wounded on July 31st during the initial attack in the Battle of Pilckham, Ypres and he died from his wounds 4 days later at the 32nd Casualty Clearing Station at Brandhoek. The 2nd Battalion war diary entries for the 31st July and 1 August 1917 are transcribed below. Arnold is mentioned twice.

Halfway House - 31.7.1917 - 3.15am: The battalion consisting of 20 officers and 600 OR arrived at Halfway House by march from Pioneer Camp.

6.50am: The battalion was formed up at 6:50AM and advanced in artillery formation under Capt G. W. Bruce M. C. The C.O. and Adj. having started for Westhoek as ordered. Reconnoitring parties found the existing front line to the Jabber trench from about J.8.c.3.4 to J.7.b.8.7 (sheet 27) the left part of which was very exposed to M.G. fire from the immediate front.

9am: By this time the battalion had arrived at the deploying position and all Coys reported casualties from M.G. fire whilst in Chateau Wood and from shell fire between there and Westhoek. The carrying platoon were exhausted from the effects of gas shells and the heavy ground.

9.40am: By this time the C.O., the adj. Capt. Brum and Lieut. Bloomer had been wounded and 2/Lt K Young took over the command of the battalion.

10.10am: Orders were received from G.O.C 25^th Infantry Brigade that the advance would be carried out as planned and the Battalion advance to the crest of the ridge, C Coy on the left, A Coy in the centre, D Coy on the right and B Coy in support as moppers up.  On reaching the crest of the ridge we suffered heavy casualties from M.G. fire, the majority of fire coming from our right flank which was exposed owing to the 30^th Division having been held up earlier in the day.

10.18am: The barrage fell beyond the above-mentioned machine guns and we were able to make progress. It was decided to consolidate the reverse slop of the ridge and to hold the crest with Lewis Gun posts.

The line ultimately consolidated was from J.8.c.25.70 to J.8.c.10.85 (just in front of  Jabber Trench) and hence along Jabber trench to J.7.b.8.6 to J.7.b.8.4 and three posts on the centre and right about 30 yds in front Jabber Trench (sheet 27).

C Company made a determined effort to capture a M G at J.8.a.0.65 but found the communication trench blocked and had to several men killed in the attack.

Two attacks were made on a house at J.7.b.9.3 but were so exposed to M G fire from the right that these attacks were not successful.

11.50am Two enemy counter-attacks were made, both of which were easily repulsed.

1.30pm: Enemy reinforcements were seen coming from the direction of Anzac and massing in Jabber Support. Considerable casualties were inflicted on the reinforcements by our Lewis Gun and rifle fire.

2.30pm: The enemy made a strong counter-attack supported by a barrage in Bellewaarde Ridge, the valley W of Westhoek and our own front line. This was beaten off with severe casualties to the enemy. No serious counter attack was made after that and consolidation was rapidly pushed on and completed.

10pm: The Lewis Gun posts on the crest of the ridge were converted into bombing and listening posts and the night passed without further incident.

Pioneer Camp - 1.8.1917 – 5am: The battalion was relieved by the 2^nd Royal Berkshire Regiment and proceeded to Pioneer Camp.

Casualties: Killed 2/Lt Bush; 2/Lt Truly. Wounded & Died of wounds Lt A.G Bloomer, 2/Lt Somerby. Wounded L/Col R Basland DSO, Capt G R Thatcher, Capt Bruce, Lt Hill, Lt Ingoldby.
Other ranks Killed 39, wounded 177, missing 27.