Military History

Arthur died of wounds incurred in action at one of either the 2/2 London, 36th or 38th Casualty Clearing Station's which used Heilly Station Cemetery for their burials. The war diary reveals that Arthur was wounded on 7th October during an attack on enemy lines near Gueudecourt. The 9th Battalion war diary for that day is transcribed below.

W of Gueudecourt - 07 Oct 1916: Zero at 1.45pm. 8^th RF & 9^th RF attacking, 7^th Sussex in support, 11^th Middlesex in reserve. 37^th Brigade attacking on our right, 35^th Bde in Divisional Reserve.

A, B & D Coys took up their position in the advanced trench in front of Giro Support overnight with C Coy in Giro Support Trench as the supporting Coy. D = right Coy, B = centre Coy & A = left Coy.

Coys went over in two lines, also the supporting Coy which rushed over from Giro Support to the Advanced trench immediately the attacking Coys went forward. Contrary to expectations very heavy M. Gun fire was encountered immediately, the first line reached the top of the ridge also heavy shelling. The three front Coys and 2 Platoons of the supporting Coy were practically decimated by this fire. B Coy apparently swung out to their to get into touch with A Coy and were enfiladed by 2 MG’s.

The first objective was not reached by any Company. Enemy was observed to take in some of our wounded of B & D Coys. A body of Germans also commenced to advance on our left but were driven back by our MG fire which was immediately opened upon them.

Some stragglers crawled back at dusk and we continued to hold our original front line with these men and the two remaining platoons of C Coy.

The Artillery barrage had been a creeping one and apparently had missed the first German trench, which was neared than it had appeared. Our barrage remained for some time behind our second objective, until it was known that the attack had failed. A similar result accrued from the attacks on our left and right.

Up to the time of going over the top our casualties had been Officers 8; Other ranks 109 and 20 sick so the Battalion was rather weak for on going over.

In the attack the losses were:
Killed: Officers 4 & Other Ranks 21
Wounded: Officers 1 & Other Ranks 131
Missing: Officers 4 & Other Ranks 313