Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Bishop, an engineer’s labourer, born in the April quarter of 1845 in Leicester (son of Edward Bishop, 1811-1873 and Elizabeth Atkins, 1813-1869) and his wife Julia Eliza Bishop (nee Hallett, married in the January quarter of 1867 in Leicester), born in the October quarter of 1846 in Kensington, Middlesex (daughter of William Hallett, 1820 and Susan Paul (Burton), 1821-1887). Arthur Charles was born in the October quarter of 1889, his siblings were, George Henry Ernest, a shoe trade laster, born on the 21st December 1870, Emily Ann, a hosiery trade worsted knitter, born in the October quarter of 1872, Alice, a shoe trade worker, born in the October quarter of 1875, Thomas, a schoolboy, born on the 15th November 1883 and Nellie, born in the January quarter of 1887, all his siblings were born in Leicester, in April 1891 the family home was at 9, Gerrard Street, Leicester.
In March 1901 Arthur was residing in the family home at 9, Gerrard Street, Leicester, together with his father, a foundry stationary engine stoker, his mother and siblings, Emily, a hosiery trade yarn worker, Alice, a card board box maker, Thomas, a shoe trade pressman and Nellie, a hosiery trade worker.
On the 11th April 1908, Arthur’s mother died at 29, Tudor Road, Leicester, aged 61 and was interred on the 14th April in Gilroes Cemetery, Groby Road, Leicester.
In April 1911 Arthur was employed as a shoe trade pressman and was residing in the family home at 128, Tudor Road, Leicester, together with his widowed father, a stoker and his sister, Emily, a hosiery trade worsted knitter, his married sister, Alice Cave, a card board box trade forewoman and her husband Albert Edward Cave, a shoe trade finisher, born in the January quarter of 1873 in Northampton.
On the 21st October 1911, Arthur married Kate Sewards in St. Paul’s Church, Leicester, Kate was born on the 14th December 1887 in Leicester and baptised on the 13th March 1893 in St. Margaret’s Church, Leicester (daughter of Charles James Sewards and Sarah Anne Baswell).
In the January quarter of 1922 Arthur’s widow married Ernest Riley in Loughborough, Leicestershire.
Arthur’s older brother Thomas fell in action on the 9th September 1915.
FAMILY NOTE: Arthur’s maternal grandmother, Susan Hallett, nee Paul had previously married William Hallett on the 20th October 1844 in St. Mary’s Church, Bryanston Square, Marylebone, Middlesex, William died, in the October quarter of 1852 in Marylebone, aged 32. Susan later married George Burton on the 28th October 1855 in St. James’ Church, Paddington, Middlesex.
Arthur also had two older siblings, William Edward, born in the January quarter of 1869 in Leicester and Charles Hallett Bishop, born in the April quarter of 1874 in Leicester, and who died aged 8 months in January 1875 and was interred on the 9th January in Welford Road Cemetery, Leicester.
Arthur’s Army enlistment documents do not survive, all that is known of his military service is that he enlisted into the Leicestershire Regiment, being allotted the service number 4765, and was posted as a Private to the 3/5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, he was subsequently posted to the 11th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment and allotted the service number G/15037 and with this unit he attained the rank of Lance Corporal, it is not known when he first entered the theatre of war in France, but it would have been after the 31st December 1915. He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Arthur’s army service enlistment documents do not survive, therefore the currently available information pertaining to his military service has been obtained from the following sources: - 1921 HMSO Publication, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914 - 1919, WW1 Service Medal and Award Rolls, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Registers.
Enlisted in Leicester into the Territorial Force. Date not known.
Joined. At Leicester. Date not known.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. Date not known.
Allotted the Regimental Service number 4765.
Posted. To 3/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. Date not known.
First entered the theatre of war in France after the 31st December 1915.
Transferred. To 11th (Service) Bn. Royal Sussex Regt. Pte. Date not known.
Allotted the Regimental Service number G/15037.
Promoted. Lance Corporal. Date not known.
Killed in action. In the Field. 31/7/17.
Buried in Track “X” Cemetery, St. Jean les Ypres, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
Awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In the event of his death, Arthur nominated his wife Kate as his sole legatee.
The War Diary records: 31 Jul-17 – HILL TOP. Fairly light night. Bombardment continued till 1 hour before Zero. All received hot meals and ready for attack by 2:00am Barrage and attack commenced at 3:50am. Hostile Barrage opened on front line and BILGE TRENCH 1 hour before. Attack progressed well. Yellow, Red and Blue lines being taken with few casualties. Battalion Headquarters moved into German second line in dug-outs. During the afternoon 2 Companies moved up into close support of 1/4th HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT Black Line in anticipation of counter-attacks. Nothing happened. Enemy shelling persisted all night. 2nd Lieutenant W. J. COLLYER killed. 2nd Lieutenant S. W. TICE, Acting Captain C. ALLEN wounded about 150 casualties amongst other ranks. Battle still continuing.
On Saturday September 8th, 1917, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article under the heading. BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. – IN MEMORIAM. – BISHOP. – In loving memory of Lance-Sergt. Thomas Bishop, Leicester Regiment, killed Sept. 9th, 1915; also, Lance-Corpl. Arthur C. Bishop, Royal Sussex Regiment, killed August 1st, 1917. We often talk of days gone by. When we were all together; A shadow over our lives is cast. Our loved ones gone forever. – From sorrowing Father and Sisters, and Beryl and Jennie.
[recognitum IV-X-MMXXIV]