Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph Gilson, a watchmaker, born 1855 in Kirby Bellars, Leics., and his wife Eliza Gilson (nee Buxton, married 1877), born 1856 in Melton Mowbray, Leics. Arthur Gilson was born in 1883 in Melton Mowbray, Leics., his siblings were, Joseph, a boot maker, born 1878, Charles Henry, born 1881 and Gertrude, born 1886, all his siblings were born in Melton Mowbray, Leics., in April 1891 the family home was at 2, Prospect Place, Melton Mowbray, Leics. In March 1901 Arthur was employed as an apprentice printer and was residing in the family home at 13, Algernon Road, Melton Mowbray, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Joseph, a furnace man with the Holwell Iron Company and Charles, a rural postman. In April 1911 Arthur was employed as a pipe foundry core maker, and was residing in the family home at 14, Algernon Road, Melton Mowbray, Leics., together with his wife, Rose Ethel Gilson (nee May, married 1906), who was born in 1884 in Alrewas, Staffs., and was the daughter of Thomas and Jane May of Alrewas, Staffs., their children, were, Gertrude Maud, born 1907 in Redditch, Worcs., Charles, born 1909 and Bert, born 1911, the latter two children were both born in Melton Mowbray, Leics.
On Friday May 28th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MORE MELTON SOLDIER’S KILLED. – News has reached Melton that two more local soldier’s have lost their lives at the front. Pte. O. Elliott has written a letter to the Rev. Canon Blakeney asking him to break the news to Mrs. Gilson, of 7, Algernon Road, that her husband, Pte. Arthur Gilson, of the 1st East Surrey Regt., was killed in action on the 13th May. He goes on to state that deceased was a friend of his, and only the previous Monday he was building up hopes of what he was going to do with the boys. His death was a sad blow to the Company, as he was much liked and respected, and they sent their deepest sympathy to the wife and children. The sad news was confirmed by a letter since received by Mrs. Gilson from Pte. B. Slawson, Melton Mowbray, who was in the same regiment, in which he states that Pte. Gilson was shot through the head, and died like a soldier. He was not in the same trench, as they were in different companies. They went down to the grave and put some wire round it, also a plant or two upon it, and a cross at the head bearing his name and number. Deceased enlisted at the beginning of October. Some years ago he was on the printing staff of this journal, and soon after his marriage nine and a half years ago he went to reside at Redditch for a short time. Whilst there he joined the Worcester Territorials. On returning to Melton he went to work for the Holwell Iron Co., remaining there up to the time of his enlistment. He leaves a widow and three young children, for whom much sympathy will be felt. No official intimation has yet been received of Pte. Gilson’s death. Mrs. B. Smith, 27, Timber Hill, Melton Mowbray, has received the following letter from Pte. W. T. Neale, 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards (late Police Constable at Melton Mowbray): “I feel I must write and tell you the regrettable news. Your husband was unfortunately killed in action on the 19th of this month. I knew him personally, as he belonged to the same platoon as myself, and also of course, I knew him in Melton. We had been successful on the two previous days, having taken four trenches from the Germans and captured many prisoners. On the 19th we attacked them again to try and get a farm house from them which they were holding. About three o’clock in the afternoon the order went for us to advance across a space of 800 yards to where the Germans were. Our platoon went first, and met with a murderous fire from the Germans, who were in strong force about the farm. Your husband was shot in the head, and death was instantaneous. I saw him fall with several other brave lads. About 10 of us returned out of about 40. I saved myself by falling into a Jack Johnson hole, and lay there until nearly dark. It is indeed a pity for all of them, as the day after we were relieved, and have gone right back for a rest. He was always very cheerful and liked in the Company, and died a hero. All the platoon who remain, join in their sympathy at the loss of your husband, who indeed was a brave man.” Pte. Smith was a son of Mr. Thomas Smith, and was a native of Melton. On the outbreak of the war he was in the employ of the Holwell Iron Co., and at once re-joined his regiment as a reservist. Much sympathy will be extended to his widow and only child. Deceased had two brothers in the 2nd Leicestershire Regiment, Pte. Jack Smith being a prisoner of war in Germany while Pte. Peter Smith is still in the trenches. His uncle, Mr. Arthur Smith, got killed in action quite recently. On Friday June 4th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – AB KETTLEBY FAMILIES BEREAVED. – During the past few weeks several families in this village have suffered heavy bereavements. Mrs. W. Goodacre, Mrs. W. Bust, and Mr. Gilson have all had brothers killed at the front, and we are voicing the wishes of all the parishioners in offering them our sincere sympathy in their sad bereavements.