Born: 7 July 1891, Batley
Died: 20 August 1916
Buried: Foncquevillers Military Cemetery
Address: 94 Wharncliffe Drive, Eccleshill
Parents: Charles & Ada, nee Medley
Spouse:
Siblings: Amy, Etty, Charles, John Edward
Occupation: John Pilley and Sons, Union Mills, Eccleshill
Organisations/clubs:
Military
Rank: L Cpl
Medals/awards:
Rolls of Honour: Eccleshill, Park and St Luke’s
Children:
Regiment: 8 Duke of Wellington’s
Arthur Firth
Arthur Firth was born on the 7th
July 1891 in Batley, the son of
Charles and Ada, nee Medley.
In 1891 Charles and Ada were
living on Bradford Road, Gomersal
and two children had been born to
them, Amy in 1885 and Etty in
1886. Arthur was born later that
summer.
Two more children were born
whilst the family were living in
Yeadon, Charles in 1896 and John
Edward in 1898. but by 1901 the
family were living in Oakworth.
The family finally settled in
Eccleshill and in 1911 were living
at 94 Wharncliffe Drive. Charles
is now working as a
weaving overlooker and
Arthur at 20 years is
employed in the cloth
weaving shed of Messrs
John Pilley and Sons,
Union Mill, Eccleshill.
Arthur enlisted in August
1914 as Private 13202 of
the 8th Battalion of the
Duke of Wellington (West
Riding Regiment).
The Battalion sailed from
Liverpool in July 1915 for Gallipoli
arriving in Suvla Bay on the 7th of
August 1915.
Soon after arrival Arthur was
wounded in the side by a
bullet and he was sent
home to recover.
At Christmas 1915 he
received a parcel from
John Pilley and Sons,
containing tobacco and
cigarettes, chocolate,
handkerchiefs, socks and
mittens.
Arthur was returned to the Western
Front and before his death was
wounded again on three other
occasions.
He was killed in action on the 20th
August 1916 and his father
received the following letter – “It is
with great regret that I have to tell
you that your son Pte A Firth was
killed in action on August 20th at
1.15pm whilst on sentry duty. Your
son was very popular with both
officers and men and they all send
you their deepest sympathy”.
Arthur was 25 years of age and is
buried at the Foncquevillers
Military Cemetery.
He left his effects to his father
Charles who received £2.19.2d on
the 12th of December 1916 and a
War Gratuity of £9.0.0d on the 15th
September 1919.
Researched and written by Jean
Britteon, to whom many thanks
