Name
Arthur William Underwood
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
18/08/1916
36
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Serjeant
G/1171
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
13th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 12 D and 13 B.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Wheathampstead memorials, Not on Uxbridge, West London memorials
Pre War
Arthur William was born Wheathampstead in 1880 (baptised 24 Oct 1880 at St Helens, Wheathampstead) to George William Underwood, a gardener, and Rachel (nee Britton).
On the 1881 Census the family were living at High Firs, Wheathampstead and consisted of parents, elder brother George Carew (born 1874), Anne Milly (born 1877) and Arthur. By the 1891 Census the family were living at Gardeners House, Grove Road, Wheathampstead. Arthur’s mother was working as a Teacher as was daughter Anne, elder brother George was living at the Bothys, Aldenham House, Aldenham and working as an undergardener. On the 1901 Census the family were living at 79, St Anns Road, Harrow; father George was a fruiterer/greengrocer and George and Arthur were assistants in the business. Arthur’s father died in 1908. On the 1911 Census Rachel, Arthur’s widowed mother, was together with George, Anne and Arthur were all described as fruiterer/greengrocers and were still living at St Anns Road, Harrow also present was Rachel’s sister Caroline Britton.
Arthur married Edina Isabel Hinton at St Andrew’s, Uxbridge on 17 Apr 1911 giving his address as 27, Vaughan Road, Uxbridge. They had a son Arthur George William born on 12 Nov 1912.
Wartime Service
Arthur enlisted on 3 Sep 1914 as Private G/1171 for Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment). G/ indicated Duration of War Service. On 5 Sep 1914 he was posted to 13th Battalion.
Arthur was promoted to Corporal on 14 Jan 1915, Lance Sergeant on3 Jun 15, to Sergeant on 9 Jun 1915 and he went to France on 1 Sep 1915, landing at Boulogne on 2 Sep 1915 with his Division (24th).
They were rushed into action at the Battle of Loos (25 Sep – 15 Oct 1915) as a Reserve Formation but found it a daunting experience, not only getting to the location but also on the Battlefield having little experience of campaigning. The Division transferred to the Ypres Sector and experienced the German Gas Attack at Wulverghem on 30 Apr 1916 where although a German raiding party broke in the front line occupied by the Middlesex but were repulsed in a counter attack. The division was deployed to the Somme sector and the Middlesex were involved in the fierce in the Battle of Delville Wood (15 Jul – 3 Sep 1916). It was during this period that Arthur was listed as Missing and his death was later assumed to have occurred on 18 Aug 1918. His remains were not recovered and he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £12 and arrears of £4 7s 3d was paid to his widow. She also received a pension of 18s 9d per week for herself and child.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
