Name
Arthur John Church
14 Sep 1889
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
06/08/1915
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
15939
Essex Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TWELVE TREE COPSE CEMETERY
Sp. Mem. B. 5.
Turkey (including Gallipoli)
Headstone Inscription
THEIR GLORY SHALL NOT BE BLOTTED OUT
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Tring memorials, Not on the Erith Memorials
Pre War
Arthur John was born on 14 Sep 1889 to Frederick John Church and Ellen (Nellie, nee Ainger).
On the 1891 Census Arthur was recorded living at 40 Garibaldi Street, Plumstead with his father Frederick ( labourer at Woolwich Arsenal), William (born 1879), Frederick (born 1881) , Nellie (born 1884). His mother was recorded as a visitor to her mother at 6, Elaine Grove, St Pancras, London.
Arthur’s father died in 1895 and his mother married John Gentle in St Pancras on 11 Nov 1895.
On the 1901 Census the family of John Gentle, stepfather and Nellie Gentle (Ellen), Florence, Amy (born 1884), Arthur, Sydney (born 1892) were living at 27, Coleman Road, Erith, Kent.
On the 1911 Census the family were living at 112, Brook Street , Belvedere, Erith, Kent, and consisted of mother Ellen (Gentle, certified midwife), William (bricklayer’s labourer, Arthur (grocer), Amy (domestic servant) and Cecil Horace Gentle (born 15 May 1901).
Wartime Service
No Service Record was found for Arthur. He probably enlisted soon after the outbreak of the Great War as Private 15939 in the Essex Regiment.
The 1st Battalion arrived in the UK in Dec 1914 from their posting in South Africa. After his training Arthur was posted into this Battalion, which became part of 88th Brigade in 29th Division on 8 January 1915. They left Avonmouth for Gallipoli on 21 Mar 1915, landing at Cape Helles on 25 Apr 1915 and taking part in the Battles of Krithia in Apr, May Jun 1915. An offensive was launched on 6 Aug 1915 to divert attention from the Suvla Bay Landings. Arthur was killed in this action on 6 Aug 1914 and buried his grave was lost and he is remembered on the Special Memorial at Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery, Gallipoi.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £3 and arrears of £4 17s 4d was shared equally between his mother, and siblings.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
