Arthur Thomas Tibbenham

A Trumpeter with A Squadron, 1/1st Essex Yeomanry, Arthur died on 11th of April 1917 at the age of 26. 

Arthur was born at Lowestoft on 25 July 1890, a son of Thomas W. and Lucy Elizabeth Tibbenham. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft, on 14 September 1890 and his family lived at 14 New Nelson Street. By 1901 they were living at 12 Trafalgar Street. Later his parents lived at 132 Carlton Road. 

In 1911 Arthur was living at Fernbank, East Runton, Norfolk, and working as a grocer’s assistant. Subsequently he lived at Bungay.

Arthur enlisted in the Army at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. He joined the Essex Yeomanry, service number 2029. He was posted to the 1/1st in France and served with A Squadron. In 1917 he was renumbered 80797. 

On 11 April 1917 the 1/1st Essex Yeomanry advanced, on horseback, over open ground, to occupy high ground near Monchy-le Preux. The leading squadrons came under heavy machine-gun fire as well as an artillery barrage and suffered many casualties. The remaining men pressed on a held Monchy for the next 18 hours, despite numerous counter-attacks. 

The Essex Yeomanry’s casualties were:
Officers: 13 killed, 13 wounded
Other ranks: 18 killed, 94 wounded, 10 missing
Horses: 300 killed

Arthur was reported to be wounded and missing on 11 April and later it was concluded that he had been killed in action on that date.