Name
Arthur Ernest (poss F) Cornell
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
01/07/1916
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Serjeant
15354
Bedfordshire Regiment
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 2 C.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Harpenden Town Memorial, Church of St Nicholas Memorial, Harpenden, High Street Methodist Church Memorial, Harpenden
Pre War
Arthur Edward was born in 1893 in Bedford, the third son of William Cornell, a signalman on the Midland Railway, and Annie (nee Dean). In 1901 the family were living Houghton Conquest .In1911 he was living in Myrtle Cottage, Cornwall Road, Harpenden. He was apprenticed to D.J.Jeffries, printer. Arthur was a member of the choir of Harpenden Wesleyan Methodist Church where he is recorded on their Roll of Honour.
Wartime Service
Arthur enlisted in St Albans to the Bedfordshire Regiment as 15354, attaining the rank of Serjeant and was in 7th Battalion C Company. He went to France on 26 Jul 1915.
On 1st July 1916, the opening day of the Battle of the Somme, The7th Bedfordshires were positioned at the southern end of the Front Line near Carnoy. Their attack was successful carrying the German Front line and occupying that and Pommiers Redoubt. However, there were heavy Casualties that day, one of whom was Arthur.
His remains were not recovered and he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £11 and arrears of £3 1s 11d paid to father William.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild, Mary Skinner, Harpenden & District Local History Society (www.harpenden-history.org.uk)
