Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the stepson of Arthur Bland a Stone Mason, born 1878 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire and his wife Amidine Bland (nee Smith, married in the 4th quarter of 1900 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1877 in Melton Mowbray. Arthur Bland Smith was born in the 3rd quarter of 1896 in Melton Mowbray, in March 1901 the family home was at 12, Overton Road, Leicester, in the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Barnabas. In April 1911 Arthur was employed as a pie maker and was residing in the family home at 7, Sydney Street, Melton Mowbray, together with his step father, a stone mason, his mother and half blood sister, Doris Amelia Bland, born 1911 in Melton Mowbray, also residing with the family was Arthur’s maternal aunt, Sarah Smith, born 1886 in Melton Mowbray and his cousin, Aubrey Smith, born 1907 in Melton Mowbray. Arthur’s name appears on the memorials as Arthur Bland.
Arthur attested into the Army Reserve (Special Reservist’s) to serve an engagement of 3 years on the 2nd September 1914 in Melton Mowbray. He gave his place of birth as Melton Mowbray, his age as 19 years and 30 days and his trade or calling as labourer. He gave his current home address as 7, Sydney Street, Melton Mowbray. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, Arthur Bland, mother Amidine Bland and sister Doris Bland all of 7, Sydney Street, Melton Mowbray as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 3¼ inches in height, weighed 132 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 32½ and 34 inches. His complexion was described as dark, his hair colour was brown and he had brown eyes. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Army Reserve on the 2nd September 1914 in Melton Mowbray. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 12478 on the 5/9/14. Posted to the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 24/9/14. Died in the 48th Field Ambulance of wounds received in action on the 20/11/15. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 2/9/14 – 28/7/15. British Expeditionary Force, France, 29/7/15 – 2011/15. Total service 1 year 80 days. Arthur was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Arthur’s mother Amidine on the 29th April 1919, and was witnessed and signed by J. E. Wakerley, J.P. County of Leicester, Melton Mowbray on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, Arthur Bland of 7, Sydney Street. Mother of soldier, Amidine Bland of 7, Sydney Street. Full blood sister of soldier, Doris Amelia Bland, age 8 of 7, Sydney Street. Arthur’s surviving service documents are in poor condition, and much of the finer 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: 17-19 Nov-15 - TRENCHES LEFT SECTOR. Work as above. Situation very quiet. Wind northerly. 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT relieved the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT in the trenches complete at 10.15am. Battalion returned to billets at BEILES. Baths for the men commenced at once and completed on morning of 18th. Work parties each day of 100 men on village defences, 200 men in the trenches and 100 at night under supervision of ROYAL ENGINEERS. Leave granted an average for week 15 all ranks (8 days leave).
On Friday December 3rd 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” - MELTONIAN DIES OF WOUNDS. (A photograph accompanied the article). In our last issue we recorded the fact that Private Arthur Bland (only son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Bland, 7, Sidney-street, Melton Mowbray), of the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, had been seriously wounded in the head. We are sorry to learn that since the notice appeared Mrs. Bland has had an intimation from the Army Chaplain that her son succumbed to his wounds. The letter, which was dated November 22nd is as follows:- “Dear Mrs. Bland, - I write to tell you that I buried your dear son last week. He died of wounds. His case was hopeless from the first. I did all I could to comfort him in his last hours. May he rest in peace. You all have my love and sympathy in your sorrow. May God bless you and comfort you. Yours Sincerely, - R. N. Shelton, Chaplain to the 10th Brigade.” As previously stated the news that Private Bland had been wounded was conveyed in a letter received earlier in the week from Pte. Matt. Bishop, (son of Mr. M. Bishop, of Melton Mowbray) who wrote as follows:- “Dear Mrs. Bland, - I am sorry to tell you Arthur has been seriously wounded. He was leaving the trenches and was carrying staples down the communication trench, when a bullet hit him on the forehead, and went out at the back. I hope he is lucky enough to get over it, but don’t worry, it will be all right. Only just a few minutes before, I was speaking to him, and he was talking about having a parcel come, and saying we would have a good feed. They took him straight away to the hospital, so if the parcel comes I shall keep it, as I don’t suppose it will find him.” Deceased who was only 19 years of age, went out with his regiment about the end of July. He was educated at the Church School and afterwards worked for Messrs. Tebbutt and Co., but at the time of enlisting was in the employ of the Holwell Iron Co.
On Friday November 24th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. – BLAND – In loving memory of our dear son Private Art. Bland, died of wounds Nov. 20th, 1915.
He sleeps not in his native land.
But neath some foreign skies.
Far from those who loved him best.
In a heroes grave he lies.
From Mother and Dad and sisters Flo and Doris.
BLAND – In loving memory of my dear nephew, Private Art. Bland, died of wounds No. 20th, 1915.
Too far away from your grave to see.
But not too far to think of thee.
From Aunt Annie and Granddad.
On Friday November 16th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. – BLAND. – In loving memory of our dear son, Pte. Arthur Bland, who died of wounds received in action, Nov. 20th 1915.
Could we have raised his dying head.
Or heard his last farewell.
The grief would not have been so hard.
To those who loved him well.
He bravely answered duty’s call.
He gave his life for one and all.
But the unknown grave is the bitterest blow.
None but an aching heart can know.
Christ will clasp the broken chain.
Closer when we meet again.
From his Father, Mother, Doris and Florie. Under the same heading. – BLAND. – In loving memory of Pte. Arthur Bland, who died of wounds received in action. Nov. 20th 1915. The supreme sacrifice. From Granddad, Annie and Aubrey.