Name
Arthur Joseph Kitchener
11 September 1899
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
21/10/1918
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
47610
King's Royal Rifle Corps
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY
XXXV. A. 51.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
THE LORD GAVE AND THE LORD HATH TAKEN AWAY BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD
UK & Other Memorials
Hemel Hempstead Town Memorial, Not on the Boxmoor memorials
Pre War
Arthur Joseph Kitchener was born in Hemel Hempstead on 11 September 1899, the youngest son of George and Sarah Kitchener, and one of nine children (although two had died by the time of 1911 Census). He was baptised at St John the Evangelist, Boxmoor on 6 October 1899.
The family were then living at 4 Canal Bridge, Boxmoor, close to the Grand Junction where his father worked as a bricklayer's labourer.
He was educated at Two Waters British School from February 1905 and left when he was thirteen, in 1912 to start work, although his employment is not known.
By the time of the 1911 Census, the family had moved to 41 London Road, Boxmoor, when his father continued to work as a bricklayer's labourer.
Wartime Service
Arthur enlisted in the Army in October 1917, as soon as he was old enough, and was posted to the 20th Training Reserve Battalion to prepare him for overseas service. Six months later he was posted to 2/16th (County of London) Battalion, (Queen's Westminster Rifles), part of the King's Royal Rifle Corps and was sent to France in May 1918. On arrival in France he was transferred to 11th Battalion, KRRC.
He first saw major action on 17 October during the Battle of Selle (part of the final push). There was extremely heavy fighting with much enemy resistance, but they were eventually overcome and a lot of territory was captured during the advance. Arthur was wounded during the attack and taken to the 18th Casualty Clearing Station but sadly died of his wounds, age 19, on 21 October 1918. He is buried in the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Additional Information
His mother, Mrs S Kitchener, 41 London Road, Hemel Hempstead, Herts., ordered his headstone inscription: "THE LORD GAVE AND THE LORD HATH TAKEN AWAY BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD". His mother also received a war gratuity of £5 and pay owing of £12 12s 10d. She also received a pension of 6 shillings a week.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild, www.hemelheroes.com., www.hemelarwar.org.
