South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private PLY/1596 Arthur George BELLAIRS - 1st Battalion, Royal Marine Light Infantry

Killed in action on 21st August 1918 aged 40


Military History

     
Theatre of War in Which Died Campaign Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders British War & Victory Medals Vis-en-Artois Memorial
     
First Arrived in Theatre Bravery & Conduct Medals SWFHS Area Memorials
14 Oct 1917 in France  ~ Leamington Spa War Memorial
     
Action, Battle or Other Reason Died Date and Place Enlisted  
Battle of Albert (1918) 16 Nov 1915 in Leamington Spa  
     
Place of Death Date Mobilised Previous Regiments or Units
near Souastre 1 Sep 1916 in Plymouth 37th Sanitory Section (14/11/17-30/12/17)
    2nd Battalion R.M.L.I (30/3/18-28/4/18) 

Circumstances of Death

Arthur is listed as being killed in action on 21st April 1918. The 1st Battalion war diary entries for the period 20th to 22nd April are transcribed below.

Souastre – 20 Aug 1918: Companies inspected and replenished prior to going into action.

Souastre – 21 Aug 1918: Battalion moved from billets in Chateau-de-la-Haie to assembly position in the trench some 1500 yards west of Abiaizonville.

4.55am: At zero (4.55am) Battalion passed through objective of 37th Division and, in co-operation with Tanks, attacked enemy position. Objective eastern side of Loghest Wood.

5.40am: C & D Coys encountered obstinate resistance from enemy machine guns at F.3.d. a&c at main road running from Abiaizonville to Achiet-le-Grand. In order to deal with the situation C Coy and 2 platoons of D Coy made a right form and energetically attacked these positions which were in a very short time cleared of the enemy.

C Coy and 2 platoons of D Coy formed up and carried on with the advance meeting the two remaining platoons of D Coy and immediately entered the western edge of Loghest Wood. As a result of this operation one 5.9 gun, 250 prisoners and 6 trench mortars together with much materiel were captured.

During the day from 7.15am three strong counter-attacks were made against our positions but were repulsed and in one case with ?nary loss.

Loghest Wood – 22 Aug 1918: Our positions were heavily shelled. Enemy counter-attacked at 5am but without success

11am. Enemy again formed up for counter-attack but before he could emerge from his positions the fortitude of our Lewis Guns and Rifle fire broke up the attack.


 
 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
19 Jul 1877 in Bascote, Southam 16 Sep 1877 at Long Itchington Holy Trinity                 
   
Parents Names Abode
David and Anne (deceased c1881) Bellairs 92 Alston Street, Ladywood
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1877 - Bascote 1891 - Miller in family Mill
1881 - Thorpe Mill House, Long Itchington 1901 - Carpenter 
1891 - Mill Cottage, Long Itchington 1911 - Carpenter & Joiner 
1901 - 29 Lansdowne Street, Leamington Spa 1915 - Carpenter
1911 - 26 Grove Street, Leamington Spa  
1917 - 19 Waller Street, Leamington Spa  
   
  • Member of Amalgamated Society Of Carpenters & Joiners
  • Next of Kin - Mrs. L.A. Price, 90 Plymouth Place, Leamington Spa (niece)