Arthur James Newrick

A Private with the 2nd Battalion, Arthur died on 27th of September 1918 at the age of 24. 

Arthur was born at Gisleham on 25 September 1894, a son of Arthur and Mary Ann Newrick. He was baptised at Mutford on 11 November 1894. In 1901 his family lived at The Street, Mutford. By 1911 they were living at Mill Road, Mutford, and Arthur was a miller’s carter.

Arthur volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 15447, and on 26 January 1915 arrived in France to join the 2nd Battalion.  

On 27 September 1918 the 2nd Battalion were involved in an attack at Flesquieres. In order to make the attack they had to cross the dry bed of the Canal du Nord. They moved off just before 4 a.m. to cross the canal and as they were doing so a barrage caught two of the companies causing a number of casualties. At zero hour, 5.20 a.m., they advanced on Flesquieres and quickly took the village, capturing large numbers of prisoners and guns. The battalion’s casualties were:

Officers: one killed, one died of wounds, five wounded
Other ranks: 12 killed, 132 wounded, 10 missing

Arthur was killed in action on 27 September. He was buried at map reference 57.c.K.20.a.1.7. and his grave marked by a regimental cross. In 1920 his body was exhumed and buried at Hermies Hill British Cemetery.