Person

Born in Staindrop in 1895, Arthur was the son of William and Mary Ann Brown. He was one of six children born to William and Mary, although sadly their son Harry did not survive childhood. Arthur spent his childhood in Cleatlam, just outside the village of Staindrop. At the time of the 1911 census William was working as a quarryman and Arthur’s older brothers were working as miners. Arthur was a scholar at this time but after leaving school he followed in his brothers footsteps and also became a miner.

Arthur attested into the army on 28 October 1914, the same day as his older brother William. Alongside his brother, Arthur joined the 9th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (EYR) as a private with the service number 14017. He then too was posted with his brother into the 7th Battalion on their arrival in France on 2 August 1915.

On 16 February 1916 Arthur was injured, receiving a gunshot wound to his back. Following treatment in a hospital in Boulogne, he was transported to England on the hospital ship St. Patrick. He recovered sufficiently to return to France on 21 May 1916 and joined the 12th Battalion EYR.

On 13 November of the same year, Arthur was again wounded. He received treatment in France for a gunshot wound to the left leg before returning to England for further treatment. Initially treated at Suffolk Hospital in Bury St. Edmunds, Arthur was then transferred and spent two months in the Red Cross Hospital in Stowmarket. This second injury took Arthur longer to recover from but he was well enough to return to France again in March 1917.

Arthur only served with the troops for two weeks before he again received a gunshot wound to his leg. Sadly Arthur did not recover this third time and he died from his wounds a few days later at the 19th Casualty Clearing Station in France.

Arthur is buried in Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun. The inscription on his headstone reads “Death divides, but memory clings.” Arthur’s older brother William also lost his life whilst fighting with the East Yorkshire Regiment. He was killed in action on 16 October 1916 and is buried in Hebuterne Military Cemetery. Both brothers are remembered on memorials in the village of Staindrop.

Civil Parish: Winston

Birth date: 1895

Death date: 3-May-1917

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: Cleatlam, Winston (1901, 1911 Census)

Religion: Church of England

Employment: Miner (Service Records)

Family: Parents: William Brown, Mary Ann Brown
Siblings: Elizabeth Brown, William Brown, Isaac Brown, Harry Brown, John Brown

Military service:

8th, 9th, 7th, 12th, 3rd Battalions East Yorkshire Regiment
Private
Service Number 14017

Medal(s): 1914-15 Star
Victory Medal
British War Medal

Memorial(s): Plaque 1914-18, St Mary’s Church, Staindrop
Book of Remembrance 1914-18, St Mary’s Church, Staindrop

Gender: Male

Contributed by StaindropWW1, Staindrop