Arthur Sledge (1893-)
Middlesbrough man served with 13th DLI won DCM during the '100 Days Offensive'
Arthur Sledge, the son of Christopher and Sarah Sledge, was born on 12 July 1893 in Middlesbrough. He had three brothers and three sisters and, apart from his military service, appears to have lived most of his life in Middlesbrough. He enlisted in the 13th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (DLI) early in the war and rose to the rank of sergeant. In 1917 he was awarded the MIlitary Medal and, during the ‘100 Days Offensive’, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM). He married Annie Robinson in 1939 and was then working at Catterick Camp, Yorkshire.
His award of the DCM was gazetted on 3 September 1919 and the citation reads:
” For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the advance on St. Benin on 10th October, 1918. Throughout the operations he set a very fine example of courage and cheerfulness. When his company commander was killed he took command of the company and led them to their objective under great difficulties. Although wounded several times he refused to leave the line, and, after having his wounds dressed, again took command”.
International Encyclopedia of the First World War, Hundred Days Offensive:
https://encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net/article/hundred_days_offensive
Birth date: 12-Jul-1893
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: 67 Parliament Street, Middlesbrough, Yorkshire (1901 census)
90 Glebe Road, Middlesbrough, Yorkshire (1911 census)
26 Newbiggin, Richmond, Yorkshire (1939 Register)
Education: Newport Road, Middlesbrough Junior Mixed Infants School (National School Admission Registers & Log-Books 1870-1914)
Employment: Apprentice Tailor’s Salesman (1911 census)
Labourer at Royal Engineers, Catterick Camp (1939 Register)
Family: Father: Christopher Sledge
Mother: Sarah Sledge (nee Toas)
Siblings: John William, Charles, Annie Elizabeth, Alfred, Edith Mary & Hilda Sledge
Wife: Annie Sledge (nee Robinson)
Military service:
13th Battalion Durham Light Infantry
Regimental number: 18483
Sergeant
Medal(s): Distinguished Conduct Medal
Military Medal
1914-1915 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Gender: Male
Contributed by John Edwards
