Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of James Milne, a granite kerb dresser, born 4th August 1867 in Mountsorrel, Leicestershire and his wife Florence Milne (nee Seal, married on the 27th July 1889 in All Saint’s Church, Narborough, Leicestershire) , born 5th August 1870 in Markfield, Leicestershire. Arthur Harry, a schoolboy, was born in the 3rd quarter of 1894 in Croft, Leicestershire and was baptised on the 9th September 1894 in Croft Parish Church, his siblings were, Violetta, a schoolgirl, born 1890 in Huncote, Leicestershire and baptised on the 15th June 1890 in Narborough Parish Church, Gertrude Emma, a schoolgirl, born 11th April 1892 and baptised on the 23rd October 1892 in Croft Parish Church, Albert James, a schoolboy, born 8th October 1897 and baptised on the 12th December 1897 in Croft Parish Church and Charles Lewis, born 31st January 1899 and baptised on the 2nd April 1899 in Croft Parish Church, the latter three siblings were all born in Croft, in March 1901 the family home was at 48, Granite Cos Cottages, Croft. In April 1911 Arthur was employed as a stone quarry worker and was residing in the family home at 48, New Road, Croft, together with his father, a stone quarry worker, his mother and siblings Violetta, a hosiery trade worker, Gertrude, a hosiery trade worker, Albert a stone quarry worker, Charles, Edith Sophia, born 12th August 1901 and baptised on the 3rd November 1901 in Croft Parish Church, Florence Adela, born 10th October 1902 and baptised on the 14th December 1902 in Croft Parish Church, Reginald, born 14th February 1905 and baptised on the 9th July 1905 in Croft Parish Church and Linda May, born 25th September 1910 and baptised on the 23rd October 1910 in Croft Parish Church, the latter four siblings were all born in Croft. Arthur also had four further siblings, Sidney, born 1900 and was baptised on the 25th January 1901 in Croft Parish Church, died February 1901, interred 4th February in Croft Parish Churchyard, Amy Selina, born 1904 and baptised on the 20th February 1904 in Croft Parish Church and died 1904, Beatrice Olive, born 1911 and baptised on the 26th November 1911 in Croft Parish Church and Florence Mavis, born 1914 and baptised on the 26th July 1914 in Croft Parish Church, all his siblings were born in Croft.
In 1939 Arthur’s father, a road stone kerb dresser was residing in the family home at Petersfield, Croft, together with his wife and married daughter Linda Knell and her husband, Bertie H. Knell, born 15th October 1907 and their daughter, Thelma Irene Knell, born 6th September 1937.
Arthur enlisted into the Regular Army on the 8th September 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the service number 14717. He gave his place of birth as Croft, Leicestershire and age as 20 years 60 days. Marital status as single and his trade or calling as quarryman.
His medical examination recorded that he was 5 feet 10½ inches in height, weighed 140 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 34 and 36 inches, his complexion was described as fresh, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was dark brown, he gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his father, James Milne, his mother Florence Milne and 3 brothers and 7 sisters, all of Petersfield, Croft, Nr. Leicester.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Joined. Depot. Leicestershire Regiment. Private. 8/9/14.
Posted. To 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. 25/9/14.
Embarked. To join the British Expeditionary Force, France. 29/7/15.
Killed in action. 25/9/16.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 8/9/14 – 28/7/15. 323 days.
British Expeditionary Force, France. 29/7/15 – 25/9/16. 1 year 59 days.
Total service. 2 years and 17 days.
He was awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Arthur’s surviving service record amounts to a total of eighteen pages, and these are in poor condition with much of the hand written information relating to his army service in some cases barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into the events that took place during his period of military service.
The War Diary records: 25 Sep-16 - The morning was spent in making final preparations for attack. Enemy shelling not heavy and a few casualties were sustained. At 12.35pm waves were formed up in front of trenches. At 12.37pm the advance commenced, “C” and “D” Companies in extended order, “A” and “B” Companies in artillery formation, enemy immediately commenced an extremely intense and deep barrage. At 12.45pm the first two platoons of “D” Company reached GIRD TRENCH, but sustained heavy casualties. All the Company officers becoming casualties, 2nd Lieutenant A. E. PETER, 2nd Lieutenant W. S. GILBERT, Company Sergeant Major POTTERTON were all killed, 2nd Lieutenant CLARK was wounded. The remnants of the first 2 waves of “C” Company reached GIRD TRENCH, but owing to machine gun fire from the right, and the Brigade on the right, having failed to take GIRD TRENCH, the party were all killed or wounded. 2nd Lieutenant RENNIE was killed in GIRD TRENCH, Lieutenant HENWOOD was wounded. Captain WEBB wheeled the 3rd and 4th waves of “C” Company and formed a defensive flank down SUNKEN ROAD facing right. At 1.00pm Captain WEBB was wounded and Company Sergeant Major RHODES was killed. “C” Company suffered extremely heavy casualties from machine gun fire. “A” and “B” Companies advanced and established themselves in NEW TRENCH, BULL TRENCH and PATROL TRENCH and shell holes in the rear. Battalion Headquarters advanced from LEWIS TRENCH to PATROL TRENCH. At 1.37pm Captain ALLBERRY led “A” Company forward but was immediately killed by machine gun fire from the right flank. Lieutenant HARDY, 2nd Lieutenant LEWIS, Company Sergeant Major RICE and many of Company becoming casualties through the same cause. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG was wounded in the arm in PATROL TRENCH. At 1.37pm Battalion Headquarters advanced to BULL TRENCH. At 2.00pm the remainder of Battalion Headquarters viz: Lieutenant Colonel HAIG, Captain POPHAM (8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT), Lieutenant TOOTH and 3 orderlies advanced to NEW TRENCH. Captain POPHAM and the 3 orderlies were wounded. At 2.35pm the advance hung up on account of machine gun fire and rifle fire. Enemy still occupying GIRD TRENCH on right of SUNKEN ROAD. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG and Lieutenant TOOTH advanced to NEW TRENCH and finding it empty, crossed over to GOAT TRENCH. Only dead and wounded men were found in GOAT TRENCH, accordingly Lieutenant Colonel HAIG and Lieutenant TOOTH in anticipation that the front two Companies had reached GIRD TRENCH, again advanced to PILGRIMS WAY where 40 other ranks of the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT were found without any officer. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG decided to remain and hold on with the 40 other ranks until reinforcements arrived to clear GIRD TRENCH on right. At 3.00pm connection with 55th Division in GIRD TRENCH on the left of PILGRIMS WAY was established. A bombing group of 8th and 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT was organised and bombed down GIRD TRENCH on the right of PILGRIMS WAY for 50 or 60 yards. Many of the enemy were killed and 12 were taken prisoner. Owing to the lack of bombs, a block was established, and a Lewis gun posted near the block. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG sent numerous reports on the situation to Brigade Headquarters, only two of which reached Brigade, the orderlies being either killed or wounded. Heavy shelling all the time. At 8.00pm connection with Brigade was established through 2nd Lieutenant KELLY. During the night the ROYAL ENGINEERS constructed a strong point at N.32.a.1.9. The night was spent digging in and consolidating position. The enemy seemed to be working round behind PILGRIMS WAY, but did not attack. From zero (12.35pm) to 5.30pm, the enemy kept up a heavy and very deep barrage becoming intense at times.