Name
Arthur Flitton
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
01/07/1916
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/2076
The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
DANTZIG ALLEY BRITISH CEMETERY, MAMETZ
VIII T 8
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Flamstead Village Memorial,
St Mary the Virgin Church Roll of Honour, Flamstead,
St Leonard's Church Roll of Honour, Flamstead
We are not aware of any memorial in Gaddesden Row
Pre War
Arthur Flitton was born in Gaddesden Row in 1884 to Alfred Flitton, a general dealer, and Jane (nee Hawes) a straw plaiter. Arthur was baptised there on 30 Nov 1884. On the 1891 Census Arthur and the family of Mother, Father, Brothers Bob and Frank, Sister Annie were living at Great Gaddesden.
On the 1901 Census Arthur’s Family were living at Keeper's Lodge, West Beechwood House Farm, Flamstead. Arthur’s whereabouts are yet to be ascertained. On the 1911 Census he was working as a gardener at Danehurst Gardens, Uckfield. His Mother and Father with son Frank and granddaughter May were living at Gill Hill near Gaddesden.
Wartime Service
Arthur enlisted in Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment) as Private G/2076 and was posted to 7th (Service) Battalion. Arthur may have volunteered in 1914 as the 7th Battalion was raised at Guildford in Sep 1914 and as part of 18th (Eastern) Division, 55 Brigade was sent to France in July 1915. In 1916 the Division was involved in the Battle of Albert on the 1 Jul 1916 in the southern portion of the Somme Front where the most gains were made.
Extract from War Diary: “Attacked 7.30am (1/7) west of Montauban - heavy fire at first held up advance in front of Breslau support Trench - later fought on through Back Trench and Train Alley to Montauban Alley. After 12hours fighting the final objective was reached and consolidated on a front of about 200 yards. Casualties - 532. Relieved and to Back Trench (2/7), Bronfay Wood (3/7)".
Arthur was one of those 532 Casualties of this Battalion on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £8 10s and arrears of £9 1s 11d was paid to mother Jane. Younger Brother Frank served with Middlesex regiment as Private 3940 & 494724 from 18 Oct 1915, and in Middle East from 29 Apr 1916. He returned to UK and was demobilised in March 1919.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Simon Goodwin, Gareth Hughes
