Other Information:Arthur enlisted into the R.A.M.C. [T.F.] on 16th September 1914. He was embodied into the 2/1st South Western Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance under the service number 1769. He was appointed acting Corporal on the 12th August, and then became attached to the 1st Eastern General Hospital on the 5th September 1915. Arthur transferred to the R.A.M.C. Regular Army. His service number changed to 88007 and he was posted to "Z" Coy. On 27th January 1917, he embarked at Southampton, then disembarking 2 days later at Rouen he entered the war in France on 29th January 1917. His rank reverted back to Private at own request. He was posted to serve with the 133rd Field Ambulance, in the field, on 11th February 1917. On 12th May 1917, 6 O.R’s were working in a dressing station at the Asylum when a shell made a direct hit and went down the back stairs killing 4 and wounding 2 of them. Arthur was one of the 4 killed, the others were 90749 Pte W M Timpson, 61515 Pte D L Boyle, and 72048 Pte H Tillyard - who died on arrival at the Casualty Clearing Station. The 2 wounded were 65127 S/Sjt J H Smith and 69593 Pte A B Clarke. An account of Arthur's death was reported in The Hereford Times on 26th May 1917. The account provides an extract from the chaplain's letter to Arthur's parents, it reads "He was in an underground dressing station which the Germans shelled heavily. It was an important station and he had done excellent work there under always trying circumstances. He never knew the danger of it, but rejoiced in his work and did it well. The shell penetrated into the cellar and killed him instantaneously, which was very merciful. He was buried on Sunday (13th), and many of his comrades came to the service. We all miss him very much." The article also explains that Arthur was confirmed on the canal bank at Ypres on May 9th by the Bishop of Khartoum, and the chaplain added, "He received his first Communion within 48 hours of his death." [Special thanks to Maggie Taylor] Arthur was the younger son of John William and Annie Elizabeth Caunt of 42 High Street, Kington, Herefordshire.
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