Name
Arthur Henry Appleby
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/12/1916
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
M2/269001
Army Service Corps
Motor Transport
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HITCHIN CEMETERY
Section E Grave 810
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, Holy Saviour Church War Memorial, Radcliffe Rd., Hitchin, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin
Pre War
Arthur was born in Hitchin around 1896 and the son of Arthur William and Agnes Ellen Appleby.
In 1901 the family were living in Bearton Road, Hitchin and consisted of his parents, Arthur and Agnes, Arthur working as Engineer blacksmith and children: Lizzie (11), George (9), Harry (Arthur Henry, 7), Frederick (4), Rosa (1) and William just 6 months old.
By 1911 the family were living at 52 Nightingale Rd, Hitchin. Arthur was now a cycle and motor repairer, and his wife Agnes was assisting in the business. The had been married for 22 years had 8 children of which 2 had died. This business must have been successful because he is eldest children: Lizzie, George and Arthur Henry (listed as Henry Arthur) were all helping in the business. Also present was daughter Lilian (11), Victor Lewis (7) and brother of Arthur, Fredrick Thomas Appleby aged 30 and working as a motor driver.
Brother
Before the war he served in ‘G’ Company of the Hertfordshire Territorials enlisting as Private 1491 on 25th May 1910 when he was 17. He received initial training, then annual summer training in Ipswich (31/7/10 to 14/8/1910), Thetford 5/8/1911 to 13/8/1911) and Worthing (28/7/1912 to 4/8/1912). He seems to have liked the life because he then attested on 18th November 1913, joining the Army Service Corps as Private 1988 while living in Hitchin and working as a motor engineer and driver. He was 5’ 6 ½” 140 lbs, with grey eyes and light brown hair.
Wartime Service
His service record suggests that he wasn’t mobilised until 7th August 1914 and discharged on the termination of engagement on 9th December 1915 after 2 years and 22 days service.
During this time he entered France on the 13th August 1914 and was there to 7th November 1915, when he returned to England and continued serving until his discharge.
Appointed acting Lance Corporal 13 July 1915 then reverted to Private 4th November 1915
He married Doris Eleanor Lillian Kensdale on 26th April 1916 at Ramsden Bellhouse, St Mary the Virgin, Essex.
By 1916 he was a time expired man and he obtained a three-month exemption from the Tribunal before being called up again. When he was called up he went into the R.A.S.C. (Royal Army Service Corps). His Regimental Number was M2/269001. At one time he was driving in a convoy of ten lorries carrying much needed ammunition and came under heavy shellfire. The lorries were left in a lane and an officer asked for volunteers to drive them out. Henry offered and drove nine of them a mile under shellfire. One of those present said that it was "cold-blooded heroism and cool daring".
He was stationed on Salisbury Plain when he contracted spotted fever (typhus) and he died in the hospital at Larkhill Camp, Salisbury, of cerebrospinal meningitis. He was buried in Hitchin Cemetery Grave E810.
He received a military burial, with many wreaths. Wife's read "Darling we shall meet again".
Additional Information
After his death £6 1s 11d was initially authorised to go to his widow mother and later another £12 3s 8d. Then a war gratuity of £4 was paid to her as Doris E L Davidson on 5th May 1920, so she appears to have re-married.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
