Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Daniel Gilding, a bricklayer’s labourer, born 9th May1851 in Bottesford, Leicestershire and his wife Mary Jane Gilding (nee Stevenson, married in the 1st quarter of 1877 in the Bingham, Nottinghamshire district), born 1855 in Barkestone, Leicestershire. Arthur was born on the 14th March 1892 in Bottesford, his siblings were, John, an apprentice tin worker and brazier, born 1887, Frank, born 1890 and Elizabeth, born 1896, all his siblings were born in Bottesford, in March 1901 the family home was at 46, High Street, Bottesford. In April 1911 Arthur was absent from the family home at 9, Albert Street, Bottesford, residing there was his father, a builder’s labourer, his mother and sister Elizabeth, a schoolgirl. Arthur also had the following older siblings, Kate born, 1878, Tom born, 1880, William born, 1882 and Mary Ann, born 1884, the latter four siblings were all born in Bottesford. Arthur was officially recorded at birth with the surname spelling of Gilden, however the spelling Gildin and Gilding were also used.
Arthur attested into the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on the 12th May 1915 in Sewell. He gave his date and place of birth as 14th March 1892 in Bottesford, Nottinghamshire, England and his trade or calling as butcher. He gave his father, Daniel Gilding of Albert Street, Bottesford, Nottinghamshire as his next of kin. He confirmed that he was unmarried. His medical examination recorded that his apparent age as 23 years and 3 months, he was 5 foot 6 inches in height, weighed 145 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 35 and 37 inches. His complexion was described as fair, his hair colour was fair and he had blue eyes. His physical development was described as normal. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Canadian Expeditionary Force on the 17th May 1915 in Saskatoon. His record of service began when he joined the Canadian Army as a Private, service number 440345 on the 12/5/15. Posted to the 53rd Battalion Canadian Infantry on the 12/5/15. Transferred to the 32nd Reserve Battalion Canadian Infantry on the 13/9/15. Arrived in Shorncliffe, England on the 13/9/15. Transferred to the 8th Battalion Canadian Infantry from the Canadian Infantry Brigade Depot, on the 9/11/15. Taken on strength of the 8th Battalion Canadian Infantry on the 10/11/15. Joined the 8th Battalion Canadian Infantry, in the field on the 14/11/15. Appointed Lance Corporal, in the field on the 13/4/16. Transferred to Gas School, in the field on the 26/4/16. Rejoined 8th Battalion Canadian Infantry, in the field on the 1/5/16. Promoted Corporal, in the field on the 15/7/16. Died of a gunshot wound in No. 3 Casualty Clearing Station on the 13/9/16. Buried in the Military Cemetery, Puchevillers, 7½ miles South, South East of Doullens, France.
On Friday October 13th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – BOTTESFORD OFFICER WOUNDED. We are sorry to learn that Lieut. Frank Gilding, (son of Mr. D. Gilding), Bottesford, of the Leicester Regiment, has been wounded, having received a bullet wound in the thigh. Lieut. Gilding has been able to send a message saying he expected to be brought to England. Bottesford people will sympathise with Mr. and Mrs. Gilding, whose youngest son, Corp. Arthur Gilding, died of wounds recently.