Name
Arthur Albert Diaper
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Cheshire Regiment
11th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Arthur Diaper was born on 31 July 1897 at Abbots Langley. His father John Diaper was employed as an Asylum Attendant, and from 1901 the family lived at 37 Adrian Road, Abbots Langley. John and his wife Eliza had two sons and five daughters. Both sons, Arthur and his elder brother Simon, served in the Great War.
Arthur attested at Watford on 24th November 1916, having been called up for Service, and gave his occupation as Asylum Attendant. On the next day he was posted to the 3rd Bedfordshire’s, and was first recorded in the Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour in January 1917, serving with the 3rd Bedfordshire’s.
On 28th February 1917 Arthur’s Service Record noted that he was posted to a Base Depot in France, and on 1st March was posted to 2nd Bedfordshire’s. He remained with the Bedfordshire’s until 18th March when he was transferred to 11th Cheshire’s.
On 7th June 1917, the opening day of the Battle of Messines, Arthur received a gun shot wound to his ankle, and on 21st June he was Discharged “No longer fit for Military Service”, and returned to England the next day. On 6th July 1917 he was recorded as a patient at the 2nd Birmingham War Hospital, where he remained until 23rd October, when he was sent to his Battalion Depot and was subsequently demobilised on 21st June 1918. Whilst in hospital his sister Amelia, died and was buried on 25th July 1917, aged 17.
His brother, Simon, served as a Rifleman with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps. Both brothers survived the War.
Additional Information
Formerly 2nd & 3rd Battalions Bedfordshire Regiment. Discharged Disabled
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
