Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Dakin, a basket maker’s labourer, born 1849 in Castle Donington, Leicestershire and his wife Emily Ellen Dakin (nee Walker, married in the 1st quarter of 1883 in the Shardlow, Derbyshire district), born 1862 in Hanley, Staffordshire. Arthur was born in the 2nd quarter of 1890 in Castle Donington, his siblings were, Samuel, a schoolboy, born 1884 and Frederick, a schoolboy, born 1887, both his siblings were born in Castle Donington, and his half blood sibling, Robert Walker, a schoolboy, born in the second quarter of 1882 in Castle Donington, in April 1891 the family home was at St. Anns Lane, Castle Donington. In March 1901 Arthur was residing in the family home at Apes Gate, Castle Donington, together with his father, a general labourer, his mother and sibling Frederick. In April 1911 Arthur was employed as a threshing machine labourer and was residing in the family home at Bondgate, Castle Donington, together with his father, a basket maker’s labourer and his mother a stocking trade embroiderer.
Arthur attested into the Special Reserve to serve an engagement of 6 years on the 20th July 1909 in Derby. He gave his place of birth as Castle Donington, Leicestershire, his age as 19 years and 4 months and his trade or calling as gardener. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his next of kin as his father John and mother Emily Ellen of Victoria Street, Castle Donington, and his elder brother Samuel of 58, Bridge Street, Long Eaton. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 3½ inches in height, weighed 119 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 31 and 32½ inches. His hair colour was light brown and he had blue eyes. It was noted that he had a scar on the right side of his chest. His physical development was described as good, even though as a child he had he had suffered from infantile rickets. He gave his religion as Wesleyan. He was pronounced fit for the Army Reserve on the 20th July 1909 in Derby. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Nottinghamshire and Derby Regiment as a Private, service number 3131 on the 20/7/09. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Sherwood Foresters and commenced a special course of training on the 20/7/09. Attended a musketry course on the 4/6/10 – 3/7/10. Present for annual training on the 4/7/10 – 23/7/10. Present for annual training on the 5/6/11 – 1/7/11. Present for annual training in 1912. Present for annual training in 1913. Enlisted into the Regular Army on the 5/8/14. Posted to the 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters on the 4/11/14. Killed in action, in the field, place not stated on the 20/2/15. Buried at Houplines on the 20/2/15. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 20/7/09 – 3/11/14, 5 years and 106 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 4/11/14 – 20/2/15, 108 days. Total service, 5 years and 214 days. Arthur was awarded the 1914 Star, British and Victory medals. On the 18th August 1915 Arthur’s property consisting of H.R.H. Princess Mary’s gift box, 1 photo, 4 letters and 1 card were forwarded to his mother residing at Clapgun Street, Castle Donington, Leicestershire. The following information was provided by Arthur’s mother Emily Dakin, of Clapgun Street, Castle Donington on the 20th April 1919, and was witnessed and signed by Chas. Bosworth, Registrar, Castle Donington on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Mother of soldier, Emily Dakin. Full blood brothers of soldier, Fred Dakin, age 29, Samuel Dakin, age 34. Half blood brother of soldier, Thomas Walker.
The War Diary records: 20 Feb-15 – HOUPLINES. 4 Canadian platoons took their places in the trenches as complete units. 1 platoon per Company. 2 men killed, 1 wounded, 1 sick.
On Saturday March 27th 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “THE WAR.” – CASTLE DONINGTON MEN KILLED. Official intimation has been received from the military authorities that two soldiers belonging to Castle Donington have been killed at the front, viz., Private Arthur Dakin (Sherwood Foresters) and Lance Corporal James Barnes (8th Army Cycle Corps). Both were shot as they were leaving the trenches in the early morning only a short distance from the German lines. The young men were highly respected, and their loss is deeply regretted.