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He married Charlotte Wilkinson in June 1911, the daughter of the
caretaker of the Oakham Institute. He is recorded as setting up his
own business as a tailor on West Road, Oakham.
He served in the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, part of
Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, when it took part in the advance
against Ottoman troops which eventually led to the capture of Baghdad.
Progress along the Tigris had been slow but on 16 February 1917
the battalion was ordered to take over some front line trenches while
the 21st Brigade on their left attacked the Turkish positions. It seems
the Leicestershires were spectators at the battle and did not take
part themselves. It is not clear when Arthur sustained the injuries that
eventually led to his death.
Unit Movements
2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment:
- 04.08.1914 Stationed at Ranikhet, India as part of the Garhwal Brigade
of the Meerut Division.
- 12.10.1914 Mobilised for war and landed at Marseilles and engaged
in various actions on the Western Front including the Battle of Neuve
Chapelle.
- 17.11.1915 Moved to Alexandria and transferred to the 28th Indian
Brigade of the 7th Indian Division.
- 23.11.1915 Moved to Mesopotamia and engaged in various actions
against the Ottoman Empire including; the battles of Shaikh Saad, Kut-