Military History

Arthur is listed as being killed in action on 1 Jul 1916, the first day of the "big push" or Battle of the Somme. His remains were never recovered for burial and so he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. The 2nd Battalion war diary for that day is transcribed below.

Bois de Tailles - 30.6.16  – 11.30pm: Battalion paraded and marched to Intermediate Line occupying Lucknow Redoubt. Strength of battalion Officers 38. O.Ranks 1049

Bois de Tailles – 1.7.16  – 7.30am: Moved up to assembly trenches vacated by assaulting troops in rear of the 20^th Brigade. Companies in the following order: B Company occupied Duke St
                                                                       C Company occupied Lord St
                                                                       D Company occupied Bold St
                                                                       A Company occupied Ludgate Lane
                                                                       Bn HQ in with B Coy

Strength – Officers 20 – O.Ranks 760

2.30pm: B & C Coys moved up to re-inforce the Gordons who were held up opposite Mamezt and assisted them to take the ruins capturing 200 prisoners, 2 machine guns and 1 automatic rifle. Lt Hodgkinson and Lt Martin were killed during these operations and several men wounded.

D & A Company occupied trenches vacated by B & C Coys.

6.30pm: HQ Qrs with D & A Coys moved up to Dantzig Alley and occupied the trench during the night in support of 8^th & 9^th Devons.

B & C companies & remainder of Gordon’s held a line from Mamatz to the craters along Orchard Alley facing Fricourt Wood.

Mametz/Fricourt - 2.7.1916: same positions.