Military History

Arthur is listed as being killed in action on 9th August 1916. The 2nd Battalion war diary entries for the 9th and 10th August are transcribed below.

Waterlot Farm – 9 Aug 1916: The necessary arrangements being made with the artillery, the first attempt to cut out machine gun house and the trench running to what was known as Z – Z change was made at 2:30am. A party gained a footing in the trench and effected considerable casualties among the Garrison. They were driven out however by strong reinforcements.

Capt. W.G. Fluke who led the first attack made a second attempt but by this time the trench was too strongly held to allow even the measure of success attained by the first attempt. While awaiting the results for a request for renewed artillery support Major W.H. Carter employed the companies  with their Lewis guns in affording support to the 13th Essex Regiment.

The renewed artillery fire was most successful, many enemy casualties being affected by the infantry at the same time. It was intended to renew the infantry attack a third time but both our own and the hostile heavy guns opened fire on the trench and before another opportunity presented itself orders were received not to resume the offensive.

Italian was relieved during the evening by the 12th royal Fusiliers and after a halt in the reserve area, where the cookers were met, took over Gibraltar camp in Happy Valley. Two Coys were conveyed in lorries from Hinden Post.

Amongst the casualties were Lt. S.T. Spicer and Company Sgt Major W.H. Lichfield, both of whom were severely wounded in the attack on Waterlot Farm and later succumbed to their injuries.

Happy Valley – 10 Aug 1916: The Officer Commanding the Battalion inspected the draft of 49 Other Ranks who had been left behind in Happy Valley when the Battalion went into the Bernafay area.