Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Barzillai Deacon, born 1842 in Fleckney, Leicestershire and baptised on the 31st May 1842 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Fleckney (son of Thomas Deacon, 1811-1883 and Sarah Hensman, 1807-1850) and his wife Harriet Deacon (nee Shenton (Shelton), married on the 12th April 1868 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Fleckney), born in the October quarter of 1851 in Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire and baptised as Harriett Shelton on the 17th February 1852 in Holy Trinity Church, Barrow upon Soar (daughter of Needless Shenton, 1812 and Charlotte Garner, 1819). Arthur Noel was born in the July quarter of 1893 in Aylestone Park, Leicester.
In March 1901 Arthur was residing at 151, Cavendish Road, Aylestone Park, St. James’s, Leicester, this being the family home of his brother, Charles Napier Deacon, an electrician, born in the April quarter of 1868 in Fleckney and baptised on the 28th May 1871 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Fleckney and his wife Elizabeth Deacon (nee Bradshaw, married on the 25th December 1889 in the Church of St. James the Lesser, Aylestone Park, Leicester), born on the 16th December 1869 in Codnor Park, Derbyshire (daughter of John Bradshaw), and their children, Elizabeth Annie, born in the January quarter of 1893 and Rose, born on the 14th January 1896, both siblings were born in Leicester.
In April 1911 Arthur was employed as a shoe trade clicker and was residing at 167, Kirkdale Road, South Wigston, Leicestershire, this being the family home of his sister, Sarah Hensman Dodson (nee Deacon, married on the 22nd October 1888 in St. Wistan’s Church, Wistow, Leicestershire), born in the July quarter of 1869 in Fleckney and baptised on the 28th May 1871 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Fleckney and her husband, Joseph Dodson, a coal carter, born in the April quarter of 1865 in Newton Harcourt, Leicestershire and baptised on the 12th November 1865 in St. Wistan’s Church, Wistow (son of John Sumpter Dodson and Emma Coe) and their children, Beatrice Ellen, a boot trade machinist, born in the April quarter of 1889 in Newton Harcourt and baptised on the 11th August 1889 in St. Wistan’s Church, Wistow, John Charles N., a boot trade clicker, born in the April quarter of 1893, Maud, a boot trade machinist, born in the July quarter of 1895, Adelaide Emma, a schoolgirl, born on the 23rd December 1899, Lewis Arthur, a schoolboy, born on the 10th January 1902, Ivy, born on the 2nd February 1905 and Ernest Denis, born in the July quarter of 1910, the latter six children were all born in Wigston.
Arthur’s older brother, Joseph Ernest died on the 15th September 1916 from wounds received in action.
FAMILY NOTE: Arthur also had the following siblings, Barzillai, born in the January quarter of 1871 in Fleckney and baptised on the 28th May 1871 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Fleckney, Elizabeth Hannah, born in the October quarter of 1873 in Fleckney and baptised on the 2nd February 1883 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Fleckney, Emma, born in the October quarter of 1875 in Fleckney and baptised on the 10th March 1876 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Fleckney, Frances Mary, born in the April quarter of 1878 in Clipstone, Northamptonshire and baptised on the 2nd February 1883 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Fleckney, Beatrice Annie, born on the 27th January 1880 in Fleckney and baptised on the 2nd February 1883 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Fleckney, Frank, born in the April quarter of 1881 in Fleckney and baptised on the 13th May 1881 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Fleckney, Harriet Louisa, born in the July quarter of 1882 in Fleckney and baptised on the 2nd February 1883 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Fleckney, George Thomas, born on the 9th September 1884 in Leicester, John Henry, born in the October quarter of 1886 in Leicester, Joseph Ernest, born in the October quarter of 1887 in Leicester and Amos Abraham, born in the April quarter of 1890 in Aylestone Park and who died aged 16 months in October 1891 and was interred on the 3rd October.
Arthur enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 2nd September 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 11586. He gave his place of birth as St. Mary’s, Leicester and age as 21 years 1 month. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as clicker.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 2nd September 1914 and recorded his birthplace as St. Mary’s, Leicester, declared age as 21 years 1 month, trade or occupation as clicker, that he was 5-feet 6¾ inches in height, weighed 130 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 33½ and 36½ inches, his physical development was described as good, his vision was described as R.E.-V=D6. L.E.-V=D6. Enlisted at [not recorded] on the [not recorded]. Joined on enlistment Leicestershire Regt. Regimental No. 11586.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 21 years 1 month, height 5-feet 6¾ inches weight 130 lbs, chest measurement of between 33½ and 36½ inches his complexion was described as sallow, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, mole left collar bone. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for the Army. Date 2nd September 1914. Place Leicester.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Barzillai, 181 Kirkdale Road, South Wigston, brothers (o) Frank, Mary Street, Derby, (o) Barzillai, 115, Lansdowne Road, Leicester.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 2/9/14.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 3/9/14.
Posted. To 7th (Service) Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 5/9/14.
Embarked. 29/7/15.
Admitted. To 37th Division Rest Station, dyspepsia. In the Field. 5/10/15.
Discharged. To Duty. In the Field. 11/10/15.
Offence. In Trenches 16/10/15 [I] Losing by neglect his entrenching tool. [II] Telling a lie to an Officer. Awarded 7 days Field Punishment No.2. Pay for entrenching tool. 19/10/15.
Offence. In Billets 21/10/15. [I] Not complying with an order given by an NCO. [II] Being in possession of a comrade’s kit, i.e. 1 pair of pants. Awarded 14 days Field Punishment No.1. 29/10/15.
Offence. In Billets 27/1/16. Absent from 7.00am parade. 29/1/16. Absent from 5.00am parade (Ration Party). Awarded 5 days Field Punishment No.2. 29/1/16.
Offence. In Billets 20/2/16. [I] Whilst on active service. Drunk. Awarded 14 days Field Punishment No.1. 1/3/16.
Admitted. To 5th Field Ambulance, influenza. In the Field. 28/4/16.
Admitted. To 19th Casualty Clearing Station. In the Field. 30/4/16.
Rejoined. 7th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 14/5/16.
Reported missing in action. In the Field. 14/7/16.
Now believed killed in action. In the Field. 14/7/16.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 2/9/14 – 28/7/15. 330 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 29/7/15 – 14/7/16. 352 days.
Total Service. 1 year 317 days
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 14 Jul-16 - MAMETZ WOOD. ATTACK ON BAZENTIN LE PETIT WOOD and village by the 110th Brigade. The Battalion was drawn up for the assault in four lines. The first three lines were in front of MAMETZ WOOD and were to move forward in succession at ZERO, the first line to take, clear and hold the German first line, the remainder to push on to capture and consolidate the FOREST TRENCH (enemy support line). The fourth line were drawn up behind the north edge of MAMETZ WOOD to move forward half an hour after ZERO, and push forward through FOREST TRENCH ready to assault the German third line. By 2.55 am all dispositions were made, each platoon being on its correct adjustment. A number of casualties were suffered during this operation, one platoon of “C” Company losing almost half its number. The men behaved admirably under trying conditions. At ZERO 3.25 am when the barrage lifted our first line trench was hardly close enough to it to rush the first line before the enemy could man it, as a result the advance was rather ragged. The right (“A”) Company in conjunction with the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT had little difficulty in entering the trench. The left (“D”) Company were momentarily held up by machine gun fire but managed to keep up close to the parapet and rush the line. The two centre (“B” and “C”) Companies were held up for about 20 minutes by machine guns. The pressure was relieved by parties from the right working down a flank. The centre Companies were then able to rush the trench. The second and third lines coming on, swept the remainder of the first line then, and made for the second line (FOREST TRENCH). By this time of the officers of “B” Company only 2nd Lieutenant EVANS was left, in “C” Company only 2nd Lieutenant REED, while in “D” Company all the officers were out of action. The enemy in the first line trench at first made some resistance but many were caught in their dug outs, and the rest seeing that they could not stop our rush retreated into the WOOD and made no resistance in the FOREST TRENCH. By 4.00 am our whole line was in occupation of FOREST TRENCH and the work of consolidation was begun. Captain A. A. CLARKE taking command. 2nd Lieutenant EVANS then sent back Company Sergeant Major GEARY to ensure that the German first line was cleared of the enemy. This N.C.O. with his party found a number of the enemy who had been passed over in the rush. In the meantime, the left Company (“D”) after pushing on too eagerly under our barrage and being forced to retire, turned towards the flank and established connection with the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT At 4.25 am Captain A. A. CLARKE, leaving 2nd Lieutenant EVANS in charge of the first trench, went forward in charge of the party to capture the third objective. No resistance was met with on the right, but on the left considerable trouble was caused by a machine gun and by snipers and close by the observation post in the tree both Captain CLARKE and Lieutenant WAKEFORD were hit. This left the assaulting line without an officer, but Sergeant WALKER (“A” Company) and Lance Sergeant SHERLOCK (“C” Company) rallied their men and made good this line. There was no German trench in this position and in some cases the men again pressed forward and came under fire from our own barrage. Meanwhile the left (“D” Company) being checked by the machine gun on the crest of the wood and being unable to make headway were rallied by Lance Corporal BUSH, and an attempt was made to get round the position on the right, with the result that this party lost direction in the wood and finally found itself among the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT Lance Corporal BUSH then placed himself under the orders of an officer of that Battalion. Almost before the barrage lifted, the party under Sergeant WALKER rushed the German trench on the north side of the wood. The enemy made no resistance here and being caught between the barrage of shell fire and our advancing line gave themselves up. By 6.45 am we were established in the line on North edge of the wood. Subsequently officers of the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT bringing up supports took over command of this sector. About 7.15 am Captain GWYTHER was commanding the Battalion, ordered 2nd Lieutenant EVANS to push forward from FOREST TRENCH in support of the front line, on reaching the position selected for the strong point on the RAILWAY, this party came under machine gun fire from the north west corner of the wood, 2nd Lieutenant EVANS took up the line covering the strong point and prepared for reconnaissance. The position therefore at 8.00 am was: - Northern edge of the wood held by us. Possession of the North West corner doubtful. Line of RAILWAY and strong point secured by us. Throughout the morning the enemy kept up an intermittent bombardment with 150mm Howitzers and a few 77mm’s, which grew in intensity about midday and during the afternoon. About 1.00 pm it was believed that the Germans were still holding the entire edge of the wood at the North Western corner and an assaulting party of the 7th and 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT was organised to clear them out. The bushes and trees were very thick round this point which necessarily made progress slow, the enemy evacuating and manning a trench about 30 yards from the wood, before our men could get through, we suffered several casualties from a machine gun in the above-mentioned trench. An attempt was made about 9 o clock to reorganise the Battalion, as they were considerably mixed up, most of the officers becoming casualties. Lieutenant Colonel DRYSDALE was wounded whilst the Battalion was marching to its position in front of MAMETZ WOOD, Captain and Adjutant A. A. ALDWORTH taking command. Captain’s WRIGHT, GIFFORD, Lieutenant’s. BURNETT, HOLLIS, ABBOTT and 2nd Lieutenant’s NEWTON, GUTTERIDGE and BAIN being all killed before our troops reached the first line. 2nd Lieutenant PICKERING-CLARKE, SIMPSON and REID also Lieutenant WAKEFORD were killed in the wood. The wounded officers were Captain A. A. CLARKE, Lieutenant HOUGHTON and 2nd Lieutenant’s THOMPSON, WEBB and ORRIT-NICHOL. Our total casualties were 18 officers and 535 men killed and wounded. Our men along with the 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT manned the trenches at the edge of the wood and remained there until next morning. The night was quick.
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