Arthur Augustus Larter

Formerly a Private with the Suffolk Regiment, Arthur died on 5th November 1918 aged 25.

Arthur was born at Beccles on 1 April 1893, a son of Harry and Jane Mary Larter. He was baptised at Saint Michael's Church, Beccles, on 31 July 1893. In 1901 his family lived at 12 Carlton Road, Kirkley. By 1911 they were living at 11 Beach Road and Arthur was a shipbuilder's labourer. In 1916 they lived at 87 Tonning Street and later Arthur’s mother lived at 6 Claremont Road. 

Arthur was working as a grinder when he volunteered and attested for the Army at The Drill Hall, Lowestoft, on 31 August 1914. He joined the Suffolk Regiment and was posted to the 3rd Battalion on 3 September 1914, and the 10th Battalion on 19 October. He was posted to the 9th Battalion, and arrived in France on 23 September 1915, and seems to have joined the battalion in the field on 19 October. 

Arthur was gassed on 19 December 1915, at St. Jean, and badly affected by this. He was invalided to England on 1 January 1916 and posted to the strength of the Depot. On 25 January 1916 he was posted to the 10th Battalion.

On 9 April 1916 Arthur married Rose Low at Mutford Register Office. They lived with Arthur’s family at 87 Tonning Street before moving to 39 Trafalgar Street. 

Arthur was discharged from the Army on 7 August 1916, no longer physically fit for war service, due to chronic bronchitis. He was judged to have a 25% permanent disability and was granted a pension of 6/3 per week from 8 August 1916 to 7 February 1917. Arthur’s condition worsened. A medical board in February 1917 found that Arthur was able to do some work, but not often, and that he now had a 3/4 disability. In September 1917, and again in October 1918, he was judged to have a 70% disability.     

Although it is not stated on his service papers, it appears that Arthur died of his bronchial condition. He died at Lowestoft on 5th of November 1918.

He is commemorated on the war memorials at Saint Margaret’s and Saint John’s churches. 

Arthur’s brother Frederick served in the Suffolk Regiment and died in 1918.