Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Edwin Read, whereabouts unknown. Arthur Edwin Read was born in the 4th quarter of 1885 in Earley, Berkshire. In April 1891 Arthur was a schoolboy and was residing at The Chequers, Chapel Street, Watlington, Oxfordshire, this being the family home of his widowed grandfather James Smith, a gardener, born 1837 in Hampton, Middlesex, and his children, Minnie, born 1868, James, a groom, born 1873, Henry, a grocer’s porter, born 1875 and Alice, a schoolgirl, born 1879, the latter four children were all born in Watlington.
Arthur attested into the 5th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment (Militia) to serve an engagement of 6 years on the 28th September 1904 in Birmingham. He gave his place of birth as Reading, Berkshire, his age as 18 years and 10 months and his trade or calling as labourer, his present employer being Mr. Avery, General Haulier, Kings Norton Wharf, Worcester. He gave his present home address as No.1, Wilson Place, Larches Street, Sparkbrook, Birmingham, Warwickshire. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his next of kin as his father, Edwin Read, address unknown and his uncle, William Read of 13 Court, Sun Street, Birmingham. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 5¾ inches in height, weighed 129 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 34 and 37½ inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was brown and he had grey eyes. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for Militia service on the 28th September 1904 in Birmingham. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Worcester Regiment as a Private, service number 7438 on the 28/9/04. Posted to the 5th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment and commenced drill training on the 28/9/04 – 1/11/04. Enlisted into the Regular Army (Worcestershire Regiment) on the 2/11/04.
The War Diary records: 16 Sept-14 – Still occupying the same position. Shelled all day. (Killed 1. Wounded 7). At about 7:00pm the Battalion withdrew to the reserve and was relieved by the 2nd Connaught Rangers. Had to dig ourselves in for protection from shell fire.
On Saturday January 16th 1915 The Grantham Journal published the following article under the heading. “LITTLE CASTERTON.” – KILLED IN BATTLE. “The Rutland Churchman” magazine contains the following:- “We greatly regret to hear the death of Mr. A. E. Read, who rejoined his old regiment on the outbreak of war. The official statement said - No. 8865 Private A. Read, 2nd Batt., Worcester Regiment, was killed in action at Vermeuil, on the River Aisne, on September 16th. His body was interred in the Bois de Boules, a wood on the western slopes of the Beaulne Spur. The spot is marked by a wooden cross. Mr Read had many friends in this village, and the deepest sympathy will be felt for all who mourn for him.”