Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Arthur Tovell a domestic coachman, born 1866 in Halesworth, Suffolk and his wife Jane Tovell (nee Fox), born 1870 in Sussex. Arthur George, a schoolboy, was born in 1894 in Huntingdon, his siblings were, Alfred James, a schoolboy, born 1897 and Frederick John, born 1899, both his siblings were born in Huntingdon, in March 1901 the family home was at 14, St. Johns Street, Huntingdon. In April 1911 Arthur was learning the weaving trade and was residing in the family home at 62, Berrisford Street, Coalville, Leics., together with his father, now a coal miner, his mother and siblings, Alfred, a wholesale and retail worker, Frederick, a fruiterer’s errand boy, Charles Edward, a schoolboy, born 1902 and Daisy Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, born 1907, the latter two siblings were both born in Huntingdon. Prior to the war he was employed at Burgess’s factory on Belvoir Road. His brother Frederick John (222962) also served as a Gunner with the 466th Battery, 65th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday February 9th, 1917

HUGGLESCOTE SOLDIER KILLED

Mr and Mrs Tovell, of Sunnyside, North Street, Hugglescote, yesterday received information from an officer and chaplain that their son, Private Archie Tovell, aged 22, a machine gunner, attached to the Leicesters, was killed in action on February 1st, being struck on the head by a splinter from a shell, which pierced his steel helmet. He had previously been wounded, and returned to the Front after recovering in England. Before the war he was employed at Messrs. Burgess’ and Sons factory, Belvoir Road, Coalville. Further details and a photo will appear in our next issue.

Coalville Times article - Friday February 16th, 1917

HUGGLESCOTE SOLDIER KILLED

STRUCK BY A PIECE OF SHELL

Mr and Mrs Tovell, of Sunnyside, North Street, Hugglescote, have received news that their son, Private A. G. Tovell, of the Leicestershire Regiment, was killed in action on February 1st. Writing on February 2nd, Lieutenant Cecil L. Saunders, states:- “I regret that it is my lot to give you bad news. Your son, Private Tovell, was killed in action last evening. He had taken charge of a new position, when at about 6.45 pm, the Germans began shelling. Some high explosive shrapnel burst on the parades, and a fragment entering the doorway of the emplacement struck your son in the middle of the forehead, after passing through his steel helmet. Although your son lived for a few minutes, he did not regain consciousness, and I am sure his death was quite painless. He was a good boy, always willing, cheery, and ready to do whatever might be required of him, no matter how uncongenial or unpleasant the task might be. At the time of his death he was acting as a gun commander, and I had marked him down for further advancement. I knew him only as an officer knows a private, but even so, Mr Tovell, I learned really to love him. I am deeply grieved, and I can imagine the sorrow to you, who knew him intimately. I cannot write the usual consolatory phrases because they sound so empty and useless, but I would remind you that he played a man’s part. He offered everything; his comfort, his prospects in life, when thousands hung back. He was a true Britisher, and that must, to some small extent, console you. I have some personal belongings of his which I will send to you, and when I know where he is to be buried, I will acquaint you with the place and circumstances. Yours very sincerely, etc.”

Also dated February 2nd, was a letter received from the Rev. R. G. Lowndes, Church of England chaplain, who wrote:- “I am very sorry to tell you of the death of your son, Private A. G. Tovell, who was killed in the line last night by a shell splinter which hit the poor lad in the head and killed him instantly. I have buried him this afternoon in the British Cemetery here in the presence of his officers and comrades. The commanding officer, Major Elwood, who was there, spoke highly of your poor lad, and said he would be a loss to the company. He said what a good lad he was, and that he saw and spoke to him about a fortnight ago, after service, on January 14th, when he then made his Communion. Two others were in that service with him, Sergeant Siddons and Sergeant Evans, were present at the funeral this afternoon. I wanted to let you know how, when the dear fellows are taken out here, our thoughts and prayers go out to their dear ones at home in their great sorrow and loss. Remembering our blessed Lord’s words that “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends,” we may pray with confidence for them, that in that place of light where sorrow and mourning are banished, there may be vouchsafed to them, everlasting rest, for they fell bravely and faithfully doing their duty to King and country, and, was we believe, in the cause of God and right. May the blessed Mother who stood sorrowing by the Cross for the loss of Her dear Son, intercede for all you poor mothers and father, in your sorrow, and may God bless and comfort you, and all His dear ones in your great sorrow and loss. You will like to know that the graves in the cemetery are well cared for, and a cross with an inscription on is erected. His belongings will be forwarded to you in due course through the War Office local records. With sincere sympathy and many prayers, yours faithfully.”

The deceased soldier was 22 years of age in September last. Before the war he worked at Messrs. Burgess and Son’s factory, in Belvoir Road, Coalville. He enlisted early in the war, and had returned to the Front after having once been wounded.

Coalville Times article - Friday February 6th, 1920

IN MEMORIAM

Tovell – In loving memory of our dear son, Archie Tovell, killed in action in France, February 1st, 1917, 138th M.G. Corps.

“It is not sadness, peace from strife;
To fall asleep is not to die;
To dwell with Christ is better life.”

Coalville Times article – Friday April 2nd, 1920

WAR MEMORIAL AT HUGGLESCOTE CHURCH

UNVEILED BY COL. R. E. MARTIN

A tablet which has been placed in Hugglescote Parish Church, to the memory of men from the parish who fell in the war, was unveiled by Lt.-Colonel R. E. Martin, C.M.G., on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a large congregation.

The tablet is of excellent design, in keeping with the handsome edifice, and is of a permanent character, the names of 101 men being inscribed on Swithland slate, set in a frame of Ketton stone, surmounted by a cross and crown encircled in a carved laurel wreath, with similar carvings on either side. The inscription runs as follows:

“Their name liveth for evermore.”

“To the Glory of God, and in imperishable memory of the men of the parish who fell in the great war, 1914 – 1918.”

The names of the men inscribed on the tablet are as follows:-

H. A. Attwood, C. T. Beadman, J. Brooks, W. Baker, J. E. Briggs, H. G. Blackham, J. T. Bishop, J. Barrs, G. Barrs, R. Beadman, E. Bonser, G. Beale, J. G. Bennett, E. S. Boot, W. Berrisford, F. J. Betteridge, F. P. Benistone, J. W. Cawley, F. Chamberlain, J. A. Crookes, R. A. Cross, L. Cross, J. Cox, P. Cliff, J. W. F. Collier, C. Drewett, H. B. Drewett, S. Dodds, A. Elkin, H. C. Elkin, J. Farn, H. Fletcher, H. Finch, L. Finch, G. Firban, G. Gadsby, A. Gamble, S. F. Gamble, W. Gray, W. O. Hoden, O. Hallam, B. Hatter, J. Haywood, W. Hill, F. Hill, J. E. Hibbert, G. Hart, G. H. Highfield, E. Harper, J. W. Harper, H. Hall, J. E. Holmes, J. Jones, W. Jones, F. J. Kirby, I. V. Kelham, H. Lewis, W. Lewis, W. Massey, H. O. Moseley, T. Marriott, G. Martin, J. A. Moult, J. Maunders, J. Moon, I. Mycroft, W. Newbold, O. H. Pratt, J. A. Pegg, F. Pink, E. H. Palmer, W. Riley, A. T. Richardson, W. Rogers, C. Simmons, E. A. Stinchcombe, J. Summers, S. Summers, C. Shilton, G. Slatter, J. Smith, J. C. Shaw, S. Smith, G. Spencer, S. C. Smith, J. W. Setchell, W. Statham, A. G. Tovell, S. T. Timson, J. Tebbatt, F. Whitmore, E. Willett, B. Walker, H. Watson, C. H. Walker, J. Woods, T. Willett, A. Wright, A. Wood, J. Young and W. Young.

As the congregation passed into the church, members of the Hugglescote Church Lads’ Brigade, with the ex-Sergt.-Major W. Hill in charge, lined up on either side of the entrance and two of the Brigade with bowed heads and leaning on reversed rifles, stood by the memorial, covered with the Union Jack.

The service, which was very impressive, was conducted by the Rev. Canon Broughton (vicar) and opened with the hymn, “Stand up for Jesus.” Then followed prayers and collects. Psalm 130, and a lesson read by the Rev. J. C. Wallace, after which the clergy and choir proceeded to the memorial, led by the churchwardens, Messrs. W. E. Canner and J. W. Fletcher.

In unveiling the tablet, Colonel Martin said “To the glory of God and in imperishable memory of the men of this parish who fell in the great war 1914 – 1918, I unveil this tablet, which has been erected by their fellow parishioners in grateful recognition of their self-sacrifice.”

The “Last Post” having been sounded by buglers of the Church Lads’ Brigade, the choir and clergy returned to their places and Colonel Martin gave an address from the chancel steps.

He spoke of the memorable days in August 1914, when the principles on which our national life is based were being assailed, and it was the part of every true man to stand in defence of them. They had tangible proof that the spirit which was then evoked in the nation was the same spirit as that shown by their forefathers who went out to fight country’s enemies. He would never forget the day about the end of August, 1914, when the North Midland Territorial Division, which had been mobilised about three weeks, was told to fill up its ranks for service abroad. It fell to him, among others, to come back into Leicestershire to try and explain to the people what they were up against, and he remembered what a splendid response they gave. In the North Midland Division, between 80 and 90 per cent of the men said they were prepared to go anywhere, though many of them were married men who had never experienced Army service before. Many things have happened since – much self-seeking, a desire to get rich quickly, many apparent inequalities of justice and self-sacrifice – but he was sure they could all take comfort from the fact that there was tangible proof given in those days that the nation was sound at heart and could be trusted to do the right thing when the crisis really arose. And what happened when the armies got overseas and began their real work? He ventured to say that no one had the privilege of serving in a better battalion. The men from that district – Coalville men they always called them – were a splendid lot of men filled with genuine enthusiasm for fitting themselves for the part which they had to play, and who on getting across the water, proved themselves as good as the best. He went on to speak of evidences of practical Christianity displayed by the men, and of deeds of heroism which came to his notice. One instance he recalled was when they were between Hill 60 and Ypres. When the Brigadier realised that he had in the ranks men accustomed to mining, he formed a number of Coalville men into a mining section, whose duty it was to construct projecting galleries in front of the trenches, to find out if the Germans were under-mining. One day a member of the party came across a German mine filled with German explosives in large quantities, and it would have been a very natural thing for him to want to get away from it as soon as possible, but instead of that, he crawled over the top and disconnected the mine and came back and reported it to his commanding officer. This man, whose name was Starbuck, had no thought for his own safety, but first took steps to safeguard his comrades.

Proceeding, Col. Martin said his services came to an end in October, 1915, but he had always felt ever since then that the war had been worth while, if for nothing else than for the fine spirit it brought out, and if the same spirit could be shown in regard to present day problems, it would go a long way towards reaching a solution. He was not one of those who said this country ought to have stood aside and have taken advantage of the trade while other countries were fighting. The people, who said that, he thought, were wrong. He thought that what the people of this country did when they found what they were up against should be an example and pattern to them now. If the war had done nothing else, with all the misery, self-sacrifice and sorrow, he believed they were worth while because they afforded the opportunity which was taken by so many of showing a truly Christian spirit. He believed that experience had not been lost, but would help them to get through present day difficulties with credit to themselves.

The closing hymn was 11, “For all the saints,” and a collection was taken for St. Dunstan’s Hostel for Blind Soldiers and Sailors. As the congregation were leaving the church, Mr F. Baxter (organist) played, “O, rest in the Lord.” Before and after the service, peals were rung with the bells half-muffled.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 19/10/2017