(L to R) 1914-15 Star; Allied Victory Medal
We don't know anything about Arthur's early life.
By the time the First World War broke out in August 1914 Arthur felt a strong enough connection to Manchester to want to join the 5th City Battalion that was being raised by its workers. He enlisted on the 16th November 1914 and was given the service number 17283. This unit became the 20th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment and Arthur was assigned to V Platoon in B Company.
Arthur and the 20th Battalion arrived in France on the 9th November 1915.
We don't have any details about Arthur's service in France. We do know that he fell sick and did not recover. He was transferred from the 20th Battalion to the Manchester Regiment Depot in the UK. Arthur was discharged from the Army on the 10th November 1916 because he was 'No longer physically fit for war service'.
He received a Silver War Badge with the serial number 100819 to show he had been honourably discharged because of his illness. As well as the 1914-15 Star and the Allied Victory Medal Arthur was awarded the British War Medal for his service in the First World War.
Arthur's life after his discharge remains a mystery.
