Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Thomas Smalley, a labourer, born 1861 in Sileby, Leicestershire and his wife Mary Jane Smalley (nee Blood, married on the 6th June 1881 in the Parish Church, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicestershire), born 1864 in Tunstall, Staffordshire. Arthur was born in the 2nd quarter of 1890 in Kibworth, Leicestershire, his siblings were, John Thomas William, a schoolboy, born in the 1st quarter of 1882 in Debdale, Leicestershire and Edward, a schoolboy, born 1886 in Kibworth, in April 1891 the family home was at Weir Lane, Stonton Wyville, Leicestershire. In March 1901 Arthur was residing in the family home at New Road, Kibworth Beauchamp, together with his father, a bricklayer, his mother and siblings, John, a hosiery trade worker, Edward, an errand boy, Florence Mary Elizabeth, born 1893 and Hilda Kate, born 29th August 1895, the latter two siblings were both born in Kibworth Beauchamp. In April 1911 Arthur was absent from the family home at Paget Street, Kibworth Beauchamp, residing there was his father, a bricklayer, his mother and his siblings, Florence, a hosiery trade machinist and Hilda, a hosiery trade linker, Arthur was serving as a Private with the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and was stationed at Fort Saint George, Madras, India. Arthur also had the following siblings, Charles Arthur, born 1884 in Kibworth Beauchamp, died 19th July 1889, Herbert Pearson, born 21st August 1887 in Kibworth Beauchamp, died January 1889. Arthur’s father died in Kibworth Beauchamp, aged 54 on the 29th March 1915. In the 1st quarter of 1918 in the Market Harborough, Leicestershire district. His elder brother John also fell in action.
Arthur enlisted into the Army as a Special Reservist on a 6 year engagement on the 3rd October 1908 in Market Harborough, Leics. He gave his place of birth as Kibworth, Leics., and his age as 18 years and 6 months and his trade or calling as brass rule maker. He confirmed that he was a member of the Territorial Force serving with the Leicestershire Regiment. He also confirmed that he had previously been rejected for enlistment due to being under height. He gave his father, John, mother Mary, sisters, Florrie and Hilda, all of Paget Street, Kibworth, Leics., and brothers, John and William of Kibworth, and Edward of Gladstone Street, Fleckney as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 2½ inches in height, he weighed 115 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 32 and 34½ inches. His hair colour was brown and he had brown eyes. It was noted that he had a scar on the back of his head. He also had tattoo marks on the inner aspect of both forearms. He was pronounced fit for Army service. He gave his religion as Church of England. His record of service began when he joined the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 10056 on the 3/10/08. He was awarded the 3rd Class Certificate of Education on the 13/11/08. He transferred to the Regular Army to serve an engagement of 7 years with the Colours and 5 years with the Reserve on the 9/6/09. Joined the Leicestershire Regiment at the Depot in Leicester as a Private, service number 8734 on the 9/6/09 – 18/6/09. Posted to join the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment at Shorncliffe on the 19/6/09 – 5/1/10. On the 19/10/10 he was awarded 28 days Detention by the C.O. for “Misconduct.” Unexpired portion of Detention (4 days) remitted Authy. Para 203 Rules for M.P. and Det. Bks. To duty on completion of service on the 20/11/10. Posted to the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 7/12/10. Posted to Aldershot on the 5/1/10 – 17/12/10. Sailed aboard SS P-?-r on the 17/12/10 – 25/12/10. Posted to Belgaum, India on the 30/12/10 – 11/2/11. Posted to Madras, India on the 13/2/11 – 18/5/11. Appointed Lance Corporal unpaid on the 16/5/11. Posted to Bellary, India on the 19/5/11 – 3/2/13. Awarded 2nd Class Certificate of Education on the 22/7/11. Appointed Lance Corporal paid, vice Lance Corporal Holland on the 17/1/12. Posted to Bareilly, India on the 4/2/13 – 13/3/13. Posted to Rankihet, India on the 19/3/13 – 29/9/13. Passed Group I, 1st Class on the 26/3/12. Promoted to Corporal, vice Corporal Ball on the 1/9/13. Posted to Bareilly, India on the 3/10/13 – 19/3/14. Posted to Ranikhet, India on the 23/3/14. Killed in action in the field, place not stated on the 25/1/15. A summary of his service was; Home Service, 9/6/09 – 6/12/10, 1 year 181 days. India, 7/12/10 – 11/10/14, 3 years 309 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 12/10/14 – 25/1/15, 106 days. Total service 5 years and 231 days. The following information was provided on the 21st April 1919 by Arthur’s mother Mary Jane Smalley on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family). Father of soldier, deceased. Mother of soldier, Mary Jane Smalley of 171, Brandon Street, Leicester. Full blood brothers of soldier, Edward Smalley, age 33 of 9, Cooper Street, Leicester. Full blood sisters of soldier, Florence Grewcock, age 26 of 14, Gaul Street, Leicester and Hilda Browne, age 23 of 171, Brandon Street, Leicester.
Arthur’s surviving service documents are in a very poor condition, and much of the detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 25 Jan-15 - At 7:00am no change. At 7:30am German shelling RUE DU BOIS and advanced trenches. At 9:45am heavy firing on the left, some firing on my front, “C” Company in houses, “A” and “D” Companies in trenches. At 10:07am all former firing on my left reported to be enemy’s fire. At 10:25 received information from Brigade, prisoner reports attack contemplated against this part of British front. BETHUNE shelled this morning. At 11:20am at present all quiet, communication with left Battalion (SHERWOOD FORESTERS) broken down. Used orderly who returns 1:00pm informed that Germans have been pouring rapid fire, shells, bombs in their right section, this activity has never occurred before. Germans did not show themselves. At 1:26pm firing near my left has ceased. At 5:15pm Orderly again returns from left Battalion who report all quiet. At 5:45pm telephone communication again established. At 10:00pm all quiet. Continue to improve barricade on left and build breast work, also continue loop holing houses.
On Thursday January 25th 1917 The Leicester Mercury published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS” – IN MEMORIAM. SMALLEY.- In loving memory of dear Arthur (Corporal A. Smalley), 2nd Leicestershire Regt., killed in action at La Bassee, 25th January 1915. He bravely answered duty’s call. His life he gave for one and all. But the unknown grave is the bitterest blow. None but an aching heart can know. From Mother, Brother, and Sisters.
On Friday February 5th 1915 The Leicester Journal published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – A KIBWORTH CORPORAL KILLED.- Mr. and Mrs. J. Smalley, of Paget-street, Kibworth, have been notified of the death of their youngest son, Corporal Arthur Smalley, of B Company, 2nd Leicestershires, who went to the front with the Indian Expeditionary Force in October. He was killed whilst he was leading a company of men to take a house occupied by German snipers. Corporal Smalley was a great favourite with all who knew him and much sympathy is felt for his bereaved parents. It may be added that their eldest son Jack is now at the front.