Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Arthur Illston, a hosiery trade worker, born on the 18th February 1865 in Leicester and his wife Ada Illston (nee Cank, married on the 26th September 1866 in St. Matthew’s Church, Leicester), a machinist, born 1868 in Leicester. Arthur was born in the 4th quarter of 1888 in Leicester, he had one sibling, Job Alfred, born on the 11th January 1891 in Leicester, in April 1891 the family home was at 3 Court B, Back of 43, Upper Brunswick Street, Leicester. In March 1901 Arthur was residing in the family home at 3, Upper Brunswick Street, Leicester, together with his father, a scourer, his mother, a shoe trade fitter and his siblings, Job, George, born on the 12th October 1894, Ada Frances, born in the 1st quarter of 1897 and Amelia, born on the 27th November 1899, all his siblings were born in Leicester. In April 1911 Arthur was absent from the family home at 48, Wheat Street, Leicester, residing there was his father, a dyer’s labourer, his mother and siblings, Job, a dyer’s labourer, George, a shoe trade pressman, Ada, a warehouse girl and Amelia, a schoolgirl, meanwhile Arthur was serving as a Corporal with the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and was stationed at Talavera Barracks, Wellington Lines, Aldershot, Hampshire. In the 4th quarter of 1912, Arthur married Mary Ann Willcocks in the Leicester district, Mary was born on the 26th October 1886 in Oadby, Leicestershire. Arthur and Mary had a son, George Arthur, born on the 11th March 1913 in Leicester, they resided at East Street, Oadby. Arthur’s widow married Albert Findley on the 6th September 1919 in St. Peter’s Church, Oadby.
Arthur enlisted/attested into the Militia on the 4th October 1904 in Leicester, and was allotted the service number 9083. He gave his place of birth as St. Matthew’s, Leicester and age as 17 years 1 month. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as dyer’s labourer, employed by Mr. Opam, Friday Street, Leicester. He gave his present address as 48, Wheat Street, St. Matthew’s, Leicester.
His medical examination took place in Leicester on the 4th October 1904 and recorded his apparent age as 17 years 1 month, that he was 5 feet 4¾ inches in height, weighed 111 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 32 and 34½ inches, his complexion was described as fresh, he had blue eyes and his hair colour was brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, cross on left forearm. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Arthur, mother Ada, younger brothers Joseph and George, younger sisters Ada and Millie, 48, Wheat Street, Leicester.
During his period of militia service the following events of note occurred:-
Attested. 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 6/10/04.
Commenced. 49 days Drill. 7/10/04.
Present. 1905.
Transferred. To Leicestershire Regt. 1/9/05.
Arthur’s surviving militia record amounts to a total of four pages, of which all four pages relate directly to his militia service, and these are in good condition and offer an accurate overall description of the events that took place during his period of his militia service.
Arthur enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 31st August 1905 in Leicester, and was allotted the service number 1/7760. He gave his place of birth as St. Luke’s, Leicester and age as 18 years. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as labourer.
He confirmed that he was presently serving with the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment – Militia.
His medical examination took place in Leicester on the 31st August 1905 and recorded his apparent age as 18 years, that he was 5 feet 7 inches in height, weighed 126 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 33½ and 37 inches, his complexion was described as fresh, he had blue eyes and his hair colour was brown, his physical development was described as good. The following distinctive marks were noted, tattoo left arm, two scars on left knee. He gave his religion as Church of England.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Joined. At Leicester. 1/9/05 – 28/11/15.
Colchester. 28/11/05 – 21/9/06.
Shorncliffe. 21/9/06 - ?/?/?
Promoted. Sergeant to complete establishment. 5/8/14.
Embarked. With 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 8/9/14.
Landed. St. Nazaire. 10/9/14.
Killed in action. Place not stated. In the Field. 20/9/15.
Total Service. 10 years 21 days.
He was awarded the 1914 Star with Clasp & Rose, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Arthur’s surviving service record amounts to a total of twelve pages, of which only six pages relate directly to his military service, and these are in extremely poor condition with much of the hand written information in some cases barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into some of the events that took place during his period of military service.
Arthur’s widow was awarded a weekly Army Pension of sixteen shillings, for herself and her child to commence on the 17th April 1916.
The War Diary records: 20 Sep-15 - Bomb accident during an hours instruction on Canal Bank. A Bethune bomb exploded while being put together, killed 2, wounded 7. 1 sick, 3 bullet wounds (digging parties) all “A” Company.
On Friday September 24th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Oadby Soldier Killed. – News reached Oadby yesterday morning of the death of Sergt. A. Illston, 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. He was killed by a bomb explosion, which at the same time killed and wounded six others in the battalion. Private T. Grainger, also of Oadby, was one of the wounded. The latter was expecting to come home on furlough this week. Illston was a reservist, and was called up at the outbreak of the war. He resided at East-street, Oadby, and leaves a widow and one child.
On Friday, October 8th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – ROLL OF HONOUR. – The Late Sergt. Illston. – Supplementing the announcement recently made of the death of Sergeant ILLSTON, 1st Leicestershire Regiment, who was killed in action in Flanders on September 20th, a comrade of the deceased soldier, who was wounded in the same engagement, writes:- “Sergeant Illston was one of the best of soldiers, well respected by officers, non-commissioned officers, and men. He was one of the bravest and most cheerful of comrades. He had no fear, and would always go in the danger zone with his men. He was an all round sportsman, and helped to bring a cup or two home to the sergeant’s mess, and was also a member of the Premier Works Rugby team.” Sergeant Illston’s widow and only child live at East-street, Oadby.