Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Charles Fawscutt (Foskett/Forkett), born in the October quarter of 1843 in Harrold, Bedfordshire and baptised on the 6th January 1848 in Harrold (son of John Forkett, 1803 and Lydia Bailey, 1811) and his wife Mary Ann Foskett (nee Summers, married in the October quarter of 1877 in the Brixworth, Northamptonshire district), born in the January quarter of 1854 in Slapton, Northamptonshire and baptised on the 24th December 1854 in the Church of St. James the Great, Slapton (daughter of Alfred Summers, 1823 and Rebecca Blunt, 1826-1855). Arthur Frederick was born in the April quarter of 1896 in Theddingworth, Leicestershire.
Arthur’s father died aged 54 years in the July quarter of 1899 in Theddingworth.
In March 1901 Arthur was residing in the family home at Ivy Lodge, Theddingworth, Leicestershire, together with his widowed mother and siblings, Walter Henry, a railway platelayer, born on the 17th July 1881, Albert Thomas, a groom, born in the April quarter of 1883, William Ernest, an agricultural labourer, born on the 21st July 1887, Georgina Frances, born in the July quarter of 1889, Charles Edgar, born on the 31st December 1893 and Christopher Richard Oliver, born in the April quarter of 1899, all his siblings were born in Theddingworth.
In April 1911 Frederick was employed as a farm labourer and was residing in the family home at Theddingworth, together with his widowed mother and siblings, Charles, a farm labourer and Christopher, a schoolboy.
FAMILY NOTES: Arthur also had an older sibling, John Edward, born on the 13th June 1879 in Theddingworth.
Arthur’s younger brother Christopher died on the 27th March 1918 from wounds received in action.
Arthur’s army service enlistment documents do not survive, therefore the currently available information pertaining to his military service has been obtained from the following sources: - 1921 HMSO Publication, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914 - 1919, WW1 Service Medal and Award Rolls, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Registers.
Enlisted/Attested in Leicester into the Territorial Force. Date not known.
Joined. At Leicester. Date not known.
Posted. To Durham Light Infantry. Pte. Date not known.
Allotted the Regimental Service number 4376.
Posted. To 1/5th Bn. Durham Light Infantry. Pte. Date not known.
First entered the theatre of war in France after the 31st December 1915.
Attached. To 10th Entrenching Bn. Pte. Date not known.
Posted. To 1/5th Bn. Durham Light Infantry. Pte. Date not known.
Under the Army Council Instruction (A.C.I. 2414/1916), published on the 23rd December 1916, that promulgated a new numbering system for all Territorial Force units, Arthur was allotted the regimental service number 200599.
Killed in action. In the Field. 23/4/17.
Body not recovered. Commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.
Awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In the event of his death, Arthur nominated his widowed mother Mary Ann Foskett, as his sole legatee.
The War Diary records. 23 Apr-17 – Moved from NIGER trench to bank side East of the river at WANECOURT in support to the left Battalion – 4th YORKSHIRE REGIMENT at ZERO + 1.
“D” Company sent to reinforce the left flank of the 4th YORKSHIRE REGIMENT. An hour later “B” Company moved up to support the left at the SUNKEN ROAD. Heavy casualties.
11.30am the enemy counter-attacked at centre and left flank. The Battalion took up positions in front line trench.
The Battalion was in support to the 9th DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY in our counter-attack at 6.00pm and went as far as the SUNKEN ROAD.
The Battalion was relieved at night by the 8th DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY and moved back to the trench East of the HARP.
Casualties for Operations of April 23rd.
Killed. Officers 4. Other Ranks 23.
Wounded. Officers 3. Other Ranks 137.
Missing. Officers 1. Other Ranks 96.
Total 8 Officers. 256 Other Ranks.
Officers killed. Captain W. MARLEY, 2nd Lieutenant F. W. HEAP, 2nd Lieutenant H. R. HERRING.
Officers died of wounds. Lieutenant E. W. COULSON MAYNE.
Officers missing. 2nd Lieutenant PEREIRA.
Officers wounded. 2nd Lieutenant C. D. MARLEY, 2nd Lieutenant R. J. STOCKDALE.
2nd Lieutenant E. W. WEEKS, (Shell Shock).
The War Diary records. 24 Apr-17 – Moved from near the HARP to billets at ARRAS after being relieved by the 9th RIFLE BRIGADE.
On Friday May 25th 1917, The Midland Mail, established as “Market Harborough Mail.” published the following article on page 5 under the heading. – LOCAL WAR ITEMS. – Market Harborough and District. – THEDDINGWORTH SOLDIER KILLED IN ACTION. – Mrs. C. Foskett, of Sunny Bank, Theddingworth, has received official information that her son, Pte. F. Foskett, was killed in action on April 23rd. He was in the Durham Light Infantry. Prior to enlisting he was employed at Messrs. R. and W. H. Symington and Co.’s at Market Harborough, and was 20 years of age. He is the first of the Theddingworth lads to fall in action. He was a most popular boy, and a great favourite with all who knew him. He took a great interest in the Scouts at Theddingworth, in which he was Assistant Scoutmaster. He volunteered for service at the beginning of the war, but was then rejected. Later he was called up, and after a short training proceeded to the front. Mrs. C. Foskett has three more sons serving with the Colours. Mrs. Foskett and family desire through our columns to express thanks to all friends who have shown to them sympathy in their sad bereavement. (His photograph appears on page seven of this issue).
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