Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Josiah Noel Wilford a joiner, born 1847 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire and his wife Lucy Ellen Wilford (nee Wilkinson, married in the 4th quarter of 1880 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1858 in Croxton Kerrial, Leicestershire. Arthur William was born in the 4th quarter of 1886 in Melton Mowbray, his siblings were, Annie, a schoolgirl, born 1882, John Battey Noel, born 1885, Josiah Edmond, born 1st May 1888 and Jesse, born 1889, all his siblings were born in Melton Mowbray, in April 1891 the family home was at 22, Southern Lane, Melton Mowbray, also residing in the family home was Arthur’s widowed paternal grandmother, Jemima Wilford, born 1814 in Lincolnshire, who was living on her own means. In March 1901 Arthur was employed as a watchmaker’s apprentice and was residing in the family home at 22, Southern Lane, Melton Mowbray together with his father a joiner, his mother and siblings, John, an apprentice grocer, Josiah, Jesse, Doris May, born 1897 and Stella Rosling, born 1900, the latter two siblings were both born in Melton Mowbray. In April 1911 Arthur was absent from the family home at 22, Saxby Road, Melton Mowbray, residing there was his father a joiner, his mother and siblings, Josiah, a temporary postman, Doris, a nursemaid and Stella, a schoolgirl, Arthur was employed as a jeweller’s assistant and was residing as a boarder at 18, Rosefield Street, Leamington, Warwickshire. Arthur married Lily Price in the 2nd quarter of 1916 in the Warwick district. Lily was born on the 8th September 1897 in Warwick. In 1939, Lily was still a widow and was residing with her brother, Frederick E. Price at 22, Packmore Street, Warwick. Arthur was awarded the British War and Allied Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 15/16 Aug-17 – Battalion moved up to position of assembly on East side of STEENBEEK.
16/17/18 Aug-17 – Battalion formed up in attack formation. Operation Orders attached – Appendix I. Messages “IN” – Appendix II. Messages “OUT” – Appendix III. Narrative of Operations from night 14/15 August to night 17/18 August – Appendix IV.
APPENDIX IV.
NARRATIVE OF OPERATIONS FROM Night 14/15 Aug. till 17/18 Aug. 1917.
On Y night (14/15) Battalion moved up from CANAL BANK at C.2.5.a.5.5 to relieve 6th YORK AND LANCASTER REGIMENT in front line right sub sector. Owing to the very muddy condition of the ground and the scattered dispositions of the posts the relief was not completed until 4.00am the following day, at which time one post (MON DU RASTA) had not been relieved. This however was carried out the following evening. Few casualties were incurred Captain F. G. BUCKLEY, M.C., Officer Commanding “W” Company being slightly wounded in the head, but remaining at duty and Lieutenant MURTON wounded. The dispositions of the Battalion on relief being completed was as follows:-
“W” Company – Captain F. G. BUCKLEY, M.C.
No.2 Platoon – (2nd Lieutenant R. DEBARBIERI) in No.1 post (C.5.d.2.3.).
No.3 Platoon – (2nd Lieutenant R. V. WATSON) in No.2 post (C.5.d.1.4.).
No.1 Platoon – (Sergeant CAVNOR) in support at (C.5.c.9.2.).
No.4 Platoon – With Company Headquarters near RED FARM (C.5.c.4.3.).
“Y” Company – Lieutenant R. G. McDONALD, M.C.
No.12 Platoon – In No.3 post (MON BULGARE) (C.5.c.8.5.).
No.9 Platoon – (Corporal VELLONI) in No.4 post (MON DU RASTA) C.5.a.7.1.).
No.10 Platoon – (2nd Lieutenant NEILL) in No.5 post at (C.5.a.4.1.).
No.11 Platoon – (2nd Lieutenant P. H. SATCHWELL) in reserve near Battalion Headquarters (C.10.c.6.5.).
“Z” Company – Captain W. B. ASH.
No.14 Platoon – (Sergeant WINCHESTER) near FERDINAND FARM in support to “W” Company.
No.13 Platoon – (2nd Lieutenant P. THOMPSON) with No.15 (Sergeant CAWTHORNE) and 16 (2nd Lieutenant L. S. CHEESERIGHT) in support at VON WERDER FARM.
Company Headquarters – In MCDONALD’S WOOD (C.10.a.15.15.).
“X” Company – Captain A. ANGUS.
No.6 Platoon – (2nd Lieutenant A. M. SCOTT) in support to “Y” Company near FERDINAND FARM.
No.5 Platoon – (2nd Lieutenant MURTON) with 7 (Sergeant HOSIER) and 8 Platoons (Sergeant MESSER) in MCDONALDS WOOD.
Company Headquarters and 2 Sections – In MCDONALDS WOOD at (C.10.a.15.15.).
Battalion Headquarters – At MINTY FARM (C.10.c.1.6.).
On Y/Z night the Battalion moved up into battle positions the following platoons incurring casualties in doing so “W” Company No.2 platoon, 2nd Lieutenant DEBARBIERI wounded. “X” Company, Company Headquarters and No.8 platoon from enemy’s barrage whilst passing FERDINAND FARM. “Y” Company No.12 platoon from bombs thrown from direction on MON BULGARE. “Z” Company No.14 platoon from MON BULGARE.
At ZERO the Battalion was formed up for attack as shown on attached sketch A. (vide appendix V).
Right sector of Battalion.
At ZERO till ZERO plus 5 the barrage in front of Nos. 1 and 2 platoons from C.5.d.2.4 to hedge at C.5.d.5.5 left a gap, there appearing to be no shrapnel except for two bursts at an interval of one minute, and heavy casualties were inflicted on these two platoons with rifle and Machine Gun fire from the direction of strong point at C.5.d.5.7.
At ZERO plus 5 the line advanced but the first line of “W” Company having lost severely from rifle and Machine Gun fire in the direction of their front and right was at once reinforced by the mopping up platoons of “Z” (Nos.15 and 16) and the supporting platoons of “Z” Nos.13 and 14. Captain BUCKLEY and Captain ASH were killed and shortly afterwards 2nd Lieutenant WATSON. Strong opposition was met with from the enemy occupying three lines of shell slits at about C.5.d.3.4 and in consequence of the gap in the barrage it was necessary to advance under one provided by rifle grenades and Lewis Guns. This was very effective and enabled 2nd Lieutenant THOMPSON who had taken charge of Nos. 1, 2 and 13 platoons to reach the shell slits, the enemy surrendering in the front line, and after heavy hand to hand fighting being driven out of the 2nd and 3rd lines. Heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy, and no prisoners were taken.
The right of the line continued to advance, but by this time the barrage, which had now increased in density, had lifted beyond some dug-outs at C.5.d.60.55 (Not shown on map), and it was necessary to advance under cover of Lewis Guns. The dug-outs were reached and some 20 occupants were killed.
At this point the right was enfiladed by three Machine Guns from direction of MON DU HIBOU which had not been occupied by the Brigade on the right, which had only advanced about 50 yards East of STEENBEEK. Lewis Gun fire and rifle grenades were brought to bear on MON DU HIBOU but the latter fell short, the former proving effective in silencing Machine Guns. 2nd Lieutenant THOMPSON signalled to Brigade on right to advance but only two men came on, being killed. It was necessary then to form a defensive flank to hedge at C.5.d.5.4 our right Lewis Gun being knocked out in doing so. Meanwhile 2nd Lieutenant CHEESRIGHT, who had taken charge of Nos. 3 and 4 platoons reinforced by No.16 and 15 platoons, had advanced under cover of Lewis Gun fire towards line of dug-outs at C.5.d.5.7 beyond which the barrage had lifted at ZERO plus 5. On approaching to within 75 yards the occupants retired towards MON DU HIBOU being caught by Lewis Guns on right and left and the parapet was occupied. Nos. 4 and 15 platoons under Sergeant CAWTHORNE then advanced to C.5.b.6.0 where they found a party of MANCHESTER’S. Some 40 prisoners were taken from here. No.14 platoon had apparently lost direction and was advancing with the right of “Y” Company.
Left sector of Battalion.
The barrage in front of this sector was very good. Nos.11 and a few of No.12 platoon advanced to within 300 yards of objective, killing the occupants of a strong point at C.5.b.4.2 en route. Officer Commanding “Y” Company (Lieutenant McDONALD) 2nd Lieutenant SATCHWELL were wounded and 2nd Lieutenant NEILL killed. Here they lost direction bearing towards CEMETERY where they joined Nos.9 and 11 platoons under Sergeant BARLOW, which had reached their objective, and huts beyond at O.29.d.9.2 but owing to barrage creeping backwards and forwards had to withdraw and consolidate about 100 yards West of objective in rear of CEMETERY. Meanwhile the platoons of “X” Company had proceeded as follows. No.5 platoon whose platoon commander 2nd Lieutenant MURTON and platoon Sergeant had become casualties lost direction and went off to the left. No.6 platoon under 2nd Lieutenant SCOTT who shortly became a casualty as well as platoon Sergeant, proceeded under command of L. C. FOWLER to C.5.a.9.4 which they mopped up. They then advanced and came under heavy Machine Gun and sniper fire from the right, when the platoon became separated, part of it going to the DORSETS on the left and part to the right. No.7 platoon under Sergeant HOSIER reached CEMETERY where they consolidated. No.8 platoon, who had suffered heavily, previously to forming up advanced under Sergeant MESSER to objective, and then withdrew to East of MON DU RASTA, where they consolidated at about C.5.b.3.6 (No.8 post). This position was maintained till dark, when two Companies of 7th SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT moved up into support at C.5.d.6.6 and C.5.b.6.0.
On the morning of 17th the Brigade on the right attempted to clear MON DU HIBOU without success, and the line ran as follows, CEMETERY at C.5.a.8.6 to C.5.b.6.0 to dug-outs at C.5.d.6.7 to Hedge at C.5.d.6.4.
On the night 17/18th the Battalion was relieved by the 7th SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT and moved back to SIEGE CAMP.
CASUALTIES.
KILLED. Officers 5. Other Ranks 38.
WOUNDED. Officers 4 Other Ranks 227.
MISSING. Officers NIL. Other Ranks 39
DIED OF WOUNDS. Officers 1 Other Ranks 1.
TOTAL. Officers 10. Other Ranks 305.
On Friday August 31st 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR” – ANOTHER LOCAL SOLDIER KILLED. The local Roll of Honour continues to steadily increase, and news is to hand this week concerning another Melton lad who has fallen in action. Mr and Mrs J. Wilford, who reside at 22, Saxby Road, Melton Mowbray, learned on Monday that their second son, Lance-Corpl., Arthur William Wilford, Northumberland Fusiliers, had been killed. The news was conveyed to them by deceased’s wife, who lives at Warwick, and who enclosed a letter which she had received from Pte. J. H. Gwinnett, South Staffordshire Regiment, dated August 22nd, in the course of which he said; “It is with great regret that I write you these few lines to say that your husband was killed a few days ago while in action in this big push. As I was in the same affair, and had to relieve your husband’s battalion. I came across him. He had been hit with a shell right through the head, so death must have been instantaneous. I can assure you that he was buried quite safely in a very good place with a few more brave lads in his Company. I myself have been wounded three times. I have been out here, or rather in and out of the war since October 1914, but still have to carry on, and shall be glad when it is all over. I have had little time to spare since I came across your husband, but I thought perhaps you would like to know something of him, so took the opportunity of writing you these few lines, for though I do not belong to his battalion we were in the same division. I trust you will not worry too much about this, and tender you my greatest sympathy in the loss of your husband.” Deceased was 31 years of age, and served his apprenticeship with Messrs. W. Bowley and Co., watchmaker and jewellers. He left Melton Mowbray eleven years ago, and had different situations, his last being in Nottingham, from which city he joined the Leicester’s twelve months last May as an attested man under Lord Derby’s group system, being married a week before his departure. Subsequently he was transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers.
On Friday August 16th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. WILFORD. – In ever loving memory of Lance-Corporal A. W. Wilford, killed in action in France, August 17th, 1917.
We pictured his home coming.
We longed to clasp his hand.
But God postponed the meeting.
Till we meet in that better land.
A light is from our household gone.
A voice we loved is still.
A place is vacant at our hearth.
Which never can be filled.
We cannot realise his death.
It seems an awful dream.
He died for us who stay at home.
A sacrifice supreme.
When last we saw his smiling face.
He looked so strong and brave.
We little thought how soon he’d be.
Laid in a soldiers grave.
Never forgotten by his loving Father and Mother, Sisters Annie, Doris and Stella and Brothers Jack, Ted (Salonika), and Joe (on active service).

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Amendment to biographical information:
The youngest sister of A.W. Wilford, Stella, was born in 1899, and lived until 1999.
Information kindly supplied by her grandson, Mr. P. Davies, 31/07/2017.