Rank: Private
Service Number: 22120
Regiment: Grenadier Guards, 5th Battalion.
Died: 11th April 1918
Age: 22 years old
Born on the 23rd November 1895 in Boothstown, Manchester and baptised at St Mark's Church in Worsley on the 26th February 1896, Arthur was the eldest son of Albert Edward Ratcliffe & Mary Elizabeth Ratcliffe (née Williams) of Boothstown, Manchester. They had married in St Mark's Church, Worsley on the 31st December 1892. Arthur had two younger siblings Rachel Jemima Ann and Fred. Another brother John was born in 1900 and baptised on the 20th September 1900 but John sadly died that year (Q3). Their father was a Coal Miner (Hewer) and their mother worked as a Cotton Weaver. In 1901 the family lived at 42, Leigh Road.
Arthur's father died in 1908 and the family went to live with their grandfather William Williams at 52, Vicars Hall Lane, Boothstown. Arthur's mother kept house for his grandfather whilst also working as a weaver in a cotton mill. Rachel aged thirteen also worked as a weaver whilst Arthur at the age of fifteen was working as a labourer underground at a colliery.
Arthur was called up and on the 15th January 1915 he joined the Grenadier Guards. He was 19 years and 53 days old. On his attestation papers, his mother was recorded as his next of kin. After training, Arthur embarked from Southampton on the 6th November 1915 to join his Battalion in France.
Over the next couple of years he was often in hospital returning to England for treatment. He suffered from abrasions to the head in February 1916 and was sent back to England to recover. He was issued with a new set of upper dentures at this time. Arthur returned to France in August 1916 before succumbing to trench foot in December 1916 which caused him pain, tenderness, swelling and numbness. He returned to England aboard the hospital ship 'St George' on the 23rd December 1916 and remained in hospital until 10th March 1917.
In June 1917 he was once again returned to the front. On the 9th October 1917 at Langemark he was again wounded but this time seriously. He was blown up by a shell when advancing with his Battalion. Running after his Battalion to try and catch up, he suffered a gunshot wound to his leg. He spent four days in the Base hospital, three weeks convalescing at Camp No 5 at Cayeaux, & four weeks in hospital at Le Havre. He then remained on base at Le Havre for a while. During all this time he suffered from breathlessness on exertion and was diagnosed with heart problems caused by being gassed. Deemed physically unfit, Arthur was sent home on the 28th January 1918 to be cared for in a hospital in England.
On the 14th March 1918, a medical board in London deemed him 100% disabled. They attributed his disability to his active service during the war. Arthur had seen action at the Battle of the Somme, the 3rd Battle of Ypres, Passchendaele, and the Battle of Cambrai. They recommended he be discharged from the army and awarded him a disability pension. This discharge was dated 4th April 1918. Arthur was awarded a Silver War Badge. This badge was issued to service personnel in World War One who had been honourably discharged from the military due to wounds or sickness.
Seven days later Arthur passed away at home. On the 15th April 1918 he was buried in his local churchyard at St Mark's in Worsley. Arthur's name is also commemorated on the War Memorial there.
By 1921, Arthur's grandfather had passed away. His mother remained living at 52 Vicars Hall Lane along with her son Fred, daughter Rachel and two boarders. Rachel still worked as a cotton weaver whilst Fred worked as a labourer below ground in the colliery. One of the boarders was William Ratcliffe, Arthur's paternal grandfather.
Arthur was awarded a Silver war badge, the 1914-15 Star, and the British War and Victory Medal.
His medals were auctioned in July 2019 as well as his honourable discharge certificate; a letter written from the front to his mother; and a newspaper cutting regarding his funeral, containing a photograph of Arthur. They were sold for just £130.
(Sources: CWGC, Ancestry, Find My Past, Noonans Auctioneers)
(Bio: Woose)
Further information can also be viewed at https://www.st-marks-graveyard.org/arthur-ratcliffe
Service Number: 22120
Regiment: Grenadier Guards, 5th Battalion.
Died: 11th April 1918
Age: 22 years old
Born on the 23rd November 1895 in Boothstown, Manchester and baptised at St Mark's Church in Worsley on the 26th February 1896, Arthur was the eldest son of Albert Edward Ratcliffe & Mary Elizabeth Ratcliffe (née Williams) of Boothstown, Manchester. They had married in St Mark's Church, Worsley on the 31st December 1892. Arthur had two younger siblings Rachel Jemima Ann and Fred. Another brother John was born in 1900 and baptised on the 20th September 1900 but John sadly died that year (Q3). Their father was a Coal Miner (Hewer) and their mother worked as a Cotton Weaver. In 1901 the family lived at 42, Leigh Road.
Arthur's father died in 1908 and the family went to live with their grandfather William Williams at 52, Vicars Hall Lane, Boothstown. Arthur's mother kept house for his grandfather whilst also working as a weaver in a cotton mill. Rachel aged thirteen also worked as a weaver whilst Arthur at the age of fifteen was working as a labourer underground at a colliery.
Arthur was called up and on the 15th January 1915 he joined the Grenadier Guards. He was 19 years and 53 days old. On his attestation papers, his mother was recorded as his next of kin. After training, Arthur embarked from Southampton on the 6th November 1915 to join his Battalion in France.
Over the next couple of years he was often in hospital returning to England for treatment. He suffered from abrasions to the head in February 1916 and was sent back to England to recover. He was issued with a new set of upper dentures at this time. Arthur returned to France in August 1916 before succumbing to trench foot in December 1916 which caused him pain, tenderness, swelling and numbness. He returned to England aboard the hospital ship 'St George' on the 23rd December 1916 and remained in hospital until 10th March 1917.
In June 1917 he was once again returned to the front. On the 9th October 1917 at Langemark he was again wounded but this time seriously. He was blown up by a shell when advancing with his Battalion. Running after his Battalion to try and catch up, he suffered a gunshot wound to his leg. He spent four days in the Base hospital, three weeks convalescing at Camp No 5 at Cayeaux, & four weeks in hospital at Le Havre. He then remained on base at Le Havre for a while. During all this time he suffered from breathlessness on exertion and was diagnosed with heart problems caused by being gassed. Deemed physically unfit, Arthur was sent home on the 28th January 1918 to be cared for in a hospital in England.
On the 14th March 1918, a medical board in London deemed him 100% disabled. They attributed his disability to his active service during the war. Arthur had seen action at the Battle of the Somme, the 3rd Battle of Ypres, Passchendaele, and the Battle of Cambrai. They recommended he be discharged from the army and awarded him a disability pension. This discharge was dated 4th April 1918. Arthur was awarded a Silver War Badge. This badge was issued to service personnel in World War One who had been honourably discharged from the military due to wounds or sickness.
Seven days later Arthur passed away at home. On the 15th April 1918 he was buried in his local churchyard at St Mark's in Worsley. Arthur's name is also commemorated on the War Memorial there.
By 1921, Arthur's grandfather had passed away. His mother remained living at 52 Vicars Hall Lane along with her son Fred, daughter Rachel and two boarders. Rachel still worked as a cotton weaver whilst Fred worked as a labourer below ground in the colliery. One of the boarders was William Ratcliffe, Arthur's paternal grandfather.
Arthur was awarded a Silver war badge, the 1914-15 Star, and the British War and Victory Medal.
His medals were auctioned in July 2019 as well as his honourable discharge certificate; a letter written from the front to his mother; and a newspaper cutting regarding his funeral, containing a photograph of Arthur. They were sold for just £130.
(Sources: CWGC, Ancestry, Find My Past, Noonans Auctioneers)
(Bio: Woose)
Further information can also be viewed at https://www.st-marks-graveyard.org/arthur-ratcliffe
Rank: Private
Service Number: 22120
Regiment: Grenadier Guards, 5th Battalion.
Died: 11th April 1918
Age: 22 years old
Born on the 23rd November 1895 in Boothstown, Manchester and baptised at St Mark's Church in Worsley on the 26th February 1896, Arthur was the eldest son of Albert Edward Ratcliffe & Mary Elizabeth Ratcliffe (née Williams) of Boothstown, Manchester. They had married in St Mark's Church, Worsley on the 31st December 1892. Arthur had two younger siblings Rachel Jemima Ann and Fred. Another brother John was born in 1900 and baptised on the 20th September 1900 but John sadly died that year (Q3). Their father was a Coal Miner (Hewer) and their mother worked as a Cotton Weaver. In 1901 the family lived at 42, Leigh Road.
Arthur's father died in 1908 and the family went to live with their grandfather William Williams at 52, Vicars Hall Lane, Boothstown. Arthur's mother kept house for his grandfather whilst also working as a weaver in a cotton mill. Rachel aged thirteen also worked as a weaver whilst Arthur at the age of fifteen was working as a labourer underground at a colliery.
Arthur was called up and on the 15th January 1915 he joined the Grenadier Guards. He was 19 years and 53 days old. On his attestation papers, his mother was recorded as his next of kin. After training, Arthur embarked from Southampton on the 6th November 1915 to join his Battalion in France.
Over the next couple of years he was often in hospital returning to England for treatment. He suffered from abrasions to the head in February 1916 and was sent back to England to recover. He was issued with a new set of upper dentures at this time. Arthur returned to France in August 1916 before succumbing to trench foot in December 1916 which caused him pain, tenderness, swelling and numbness. He returned to England aboard the hospital ship 'St George' on the 23rd December 1916 and remained in hospital until 10th March 1917.
In June 1917 he was once again returned to the front. On the 9th October 1917 at Langemark he was again wounded but this time seriously. He was blown up by a shell when advancing with his Battalion. Running after his Battalion to try and catch up, he suffered a gunshot wound to his leg. He spent four days in the Base hospital, three weeks convalescing at Camp No 5 at Cayeaux, & four weeks in hospital at Le Havre. He then remained on base at Le Havre for a while. During all this time he suffered from breathlessness on exertion and was diagnosed with heart problems caused by being gassed. Deemed physically unfit, Arthur was sent home on the 28th January 1918 to be cared for in a hospital in England.
On the 14th March 1918, a medical board in London deemed him 100% disabled. They attributed his disability to his active service during the war. Arthur had seen action at the Battle of the Somme, the 3rd Battle of Ypres, Passchendaele, and the Battle of Cambrai. They recommended he be discharged from the army and awarded him a disability pension. This discharge was dated 4th April 1918. Arthur was awarded a Silver War Badge. This badge was issued to service personnel in World War One who had been honourably discharged from the military due to wounds or sickness.
Seven days later Arthur passed away at home. On the 15th April 1918 he was buried in his local churchyard at St Mark's in Worsley. Arthur's name is also commemorated on the War Memorial there.
By 1921, Arthur's grandfather had passed away. His mother remained living at 52 Vicars Hall Lane along with her son Fred, daughter Rachel and two boarders. Rachel still worked as a cotton weaver whilst Fred worked as a labourer below ground in the colliery. One of the boarders was William Ratcliffe, Arthur's paternal grandfather.
Arthur was awarded a Silver war badge, the 1914-15 Star, and the British War and Victory Medal.
His medals were auctioned in July 2019 as well as his honourable discharge certificate; a letter written from the front to his mother; and a newspaper cutting regarding his funeral, containing a photograph of Arthur. They were sold for just £130.
(Sources: CWGC, Ancestry, Find My Past, Noonans Auctioneers)
(Bio: Woose)
Further information can also be viewed at https://www.st-marks-graveyard.org/arthur-ratcliffe
Service Number: 22120
Regiment: Grenadier Guards, 5th Battalion.
Died: 11th April 1918
Age: 22 years old
Born on the 23rd November 1895 in Boothstown, Manchester and baptised at St Mark's Church in Worsley on the 26th February 1896, Arthur was the eldest son of Albert Edward Ratcliffe & Mary Elizabeth Ratcliffe (née Williams) of Boothstown, Manchester. They had married in St Mark's Church, Worsley on the 31st December 1892. Arthur had two younger siblings Rachel Jemima Ann and Fred. Another brother John was born in 1900 and baptised on the 20th September 1900 but John sadly died that year (Q3). Their father was a Coal Miner (Hewer) and their mother worked as a Cotton Weaver. In 1901 the family lived at 42, Leigh Road.
Arthur's father died in 1908 and the family went to live with their grandfather William Williams at 52, Vicars Hall Lane, Boothstown. Arthur's mother kept house for his grandfather whilst also working as a weaver in a cotton mill. Rachel aged thirteen also worked as a weaver whilst Arthur at the age of fifteen was working as a labourer underground at a colliery.
Arthur was called up and on the 15th January 1915 he joined the Grenadier Guards. He was 19 years and 53 days old. On his attestation papers, his mother was recorded as his next of kin. After training, Arthur embarked from Southampton on the 6th November 1915 to join his Battalion in France.
Over the next couple of years he was often in hospital returning to England for treatment. He suffered from abrasions to the head in February 1916 and was sent back to England to recover. He was issued with a new set of upper dentures at this time. Arthur returned to France in August 1916 before succumbing to trench foot in December 1916 which caused him pain, tenderness, swelling and numbness. He returned to England aboard the hospital ship 'St George' on the 23rd December 1916 and remained in hospital until 10th March 1917.
In June 1917 he was once again returned to the front. On the 9th October 1917 at Langemark he was again wounded but this time seriously. He was blown up by a shell when advancing with his Battalion. Running after his Battalion to try and catch up, he suffered a gunshot wound to his leg. He spent four days in the Base hospital, three weeks convalescing at Camp No 5 at Cayeaux, & four weeks in hospital at Le Havre. He then remained on base at Le Havre for a while. During all this time he suffered from breathlessness on exertion and was diagnosed with heart problems caused by being gassed. Deemed physically unfit, Arthur was sent home on the 28th January 1918 to be cared for in a hospital in England.
On the 14th March 1918, a medical board in London deemed him 100% disabled. They attributed his disability to his active service during the war. Arthur had seen action at the Battle of the Somme, the 3rd Battle of Ypres, Passchendaele, and the Battle of Cambrai. They recommended he be discharged from the army and awarded him a disability pension. This discharge was dated 4th April 1918. Arthur was awarded a Silver War Badge. This badge was issued to service personnel in World War One who had been honourably discharged from the military due to wounds or sickness.
Seven days later Arthur passed away at home. On the 15th April 1918 he was buried in his local churchyard at St Mark's in Worsley. Arthur's name is also commemorated on the War Memorial there.
By 1921, Arthur's grandfather had passed away. His mother remained living at 52 Vicars Hall Lane along with her son Fred, daughter Rachel and two boarders. Rachel still worked as a cotton weaver whilst Fred worked as a labourer below ground in the colliery. One of the boarders was William Ratcliffe, Arthur's paternal grandfather.
Arthur was awarded a Silver war badge, the 1914-15 Star, and the British War and Victory Medal.
His medals were auctioned in July 2019 as well as his honourable discharge certificate; a letter written from the front to his mother; and a newspaper cutting regarding his funeral, containing a photograph of Arthur. They were sold for just £130.
(Sources: CWGC, Ancestry, Find My Past, Noonans Auctioneers)
(Bio: Woose)
Further information can also be viewed at https://www.st-marks-graveyard.org/arthur-ratcliffe
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