Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the only son of Alonzo Boothaway a hosiery framework knitter, born 1863 in Wigston Magna, Leicestershire, and his wife Maria Boothaway (nee Vann, married in the 2nd quarter of 1890 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district), a hosiery trade stocking seamer, born 1861 in Wigston Magna, Leicestershire, who was the daughter of William Vann. Arthur was born in the 1st quarter of 1892 in Wigston Magna, Leicestershire, his siblings were Nellie, born 1891, Agnes, born 1894 and Evelyn, born 1897, all his siblings were born in Wigston Magna, Leicestershire, in March 1901 the family home was at Victoria Street, Wigston Magna, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Arthur was employed as a railway engine cleaner and was residing in the family home at Central Avenue, Wigston Magna, Leicestershire, together with his father, a stocking trade worker, his mother and siblings Nellie, an underwear machinist, Agnes, an underwear machinist, Evelyn, an underwear machinist and Jessie, a schoolgirl, born 1901 in Wigston Magna, Leicestershire. Arthur was educated at the Wigston Magna Board School, Leicestershire. He had enlisted in the Coldstream Guards on the 28th May 1911 and at the outbreak of war was serving as a valet at King Edward VII Hospital, Grosvenor Gardens, West London. He took part in the Retreat from Mons and was wounded on the 7th November 1914, after recovery he returned to the trenches on the 24th December 1914. He was killed in action near Festubert on the 3rd January 1915 while being relieved from the trenches. He was buried in the soldier’s cemetery, Rue du Bois, Bethune (Richebourg Road, Row B, Grave 17). Arthur was unmarried. Arthur is shown as being killed in action on conflicting dates, additionally it can be seen that he was buried by his comrades in a known and marked grave, however his grave must have been lost in the ensuing years of conflict and he is now commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial.
The War Diary records: 1 Jan-15 – Battalion continued in occupation of trenches 600 * N.E. of FESTUBERT (RUE de L’EPINETTE. Fine quiet day, Casualties 2 other ranks killed and 1 wounded.
2 Jan-15 – Battalion relieved in trenches at night by King’s Liverpool Regt. No casualties and marched to billets at Les Choques. Locon.
4/7 Jan-15 – Resting and refitting at Les Choques. Companies drilled and route marched daily. On 7th Jan. Battalion received an additional equipment of machine guns making a total establishment of 4 guns with necessary transport.
8 Jan-14 – Marches to Richebourg St. Vaast and went into billets.
On Saturday November 28th 1914 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL ROLL OF HONOUR. – An intimation has been received from Private A. Boothaway, of the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards, whose parents live at Central Avenue, Great Wigston, that he has been wounded in the left jaw. The wound is not a severe one, and he is being treated in one of the French hospitals. Private Boothaway, having served his turn in the army, had returned to civil life for about three months when he was called up at the general mobilisation. He was in the action at Mons, and the retreat to the neighbourhood of Paris, taking part in the subsequent advance into Flanders, and fighting up to November 7th, on which day he was wounded.
On Saturday January 16th 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – THE ROLL OF HONOUR. – Private Arthur Boothaway of the Coldstream Guards, son of Mr. A. Boothaway, Central Avenue, Wigston Magna, is officially reported to have been killed in action. A reservist, he was called up on the outbreak of war, and went to France on August 12th. He was wounded on November 7th, but recovered, and returned to the trenches on Christmas Eve. On January 2nd he met his death, and his father has received the usual notice from the War Office. Much sympathy will be felt with the family in the loss sustained.