Name
Arthur Dommett
1897
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
15/09/1916
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
C/6790
King's Royal Rifle Corps
18th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
DANTZIG ALLEY BRITISH CEMETERY, MAMETZ
I. D. 27.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Hitchin memorials
Pre War
Arthur was born in 1897 in Hitchin and christened/baptised on 9 July 1897 at St Mary’s Church, Hitchin. His parents were George Arthur and Evelyn Dommett (née Sharpe). George from Sheffield married Evelyn – from St Ippolyts -in St Mary’s Church, Hitchin on 5 August 1896.
In 1901 the family were living at 3 Union Street, Hitchin. Present were both parents: George (34) and Evelyn (27), with George working as a flesher of sheep skins. Their only child was Arthur aged 3.
By 1911 the family had moved to 19 Arnold Street Derby. Present were both parents, and George’s trade was described as skinner of sheep skin flesher and leather worker. The census recorded they had been married for 14 years with 3 children, all living. Arthur was now 13 and had two siblings Ivy (8) and Cyril (5).
Officially he was recorded as born in Hitchin, Herts. and he enlisted in Derby.
Wartime Service
Arthur enlisted on 7 August 1915 while living at 19 Arnold Street, Derby and working as a hosiery hand. He was 19 years and 3 months and was described as 5’ 8 ¾” with a 35” chest when fully expanded,
He was posted to the 18th King’s Royal Rifles Corps on the days of his Attestment and joined them at Gidea Park 3-days later.
He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 5 October 1915 and reverted to Rifleman on 26 April 1916 and joined the BEF in France on 2 May 1916.
Died of wounds received in action on 15 September 1916.
Additional Information
A letter dated 26 February 1917, noted that any personal effects were to me sent to his mother via 19 Arnold Street, Derby. When sent they included his identity disc, 10 letters, 2 coins and a medallion. Later she completed a statement of living relatives form which was witnessed by a local minister on 8 July 1919. It confirmed his parents names, a brother C (Cyril) Dommett aged 13 and a sister I (Ivy) Dommett aged 17.
After his death £4 11s 5d pay owing was authorised to go to his mother, Evelyn, on 26 February 1917. Later, a war gratuity of £4 was authorised to be paid to her on 25 October 1919.
His pension cards record Evelyn Dommett as his mother and as his next of kin/dependant, living at 19 Arnold Street, Derby. It also records their children as (b ) and (b ).She/He was awarded a pension of 6s a week from 4 April 1917 but increased to 8s from 27 August 1917.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild
