Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Richard Henry Dumford, born on the 16th March 1852 in Preston, Rutland and baptised on the 15th May 1852 in the Church of St. Peter & Paul, Preston (son of Thomas Dumford, 1824-1894 and Bessy Buckby, 1825-1891) and his wife Emma Dumford (nee Green, married on the 20th January 1876 in the Church of St. Peter & Paul, Preston), born in the October quarter of 1856 in Ketton, Rutland (daughter of Sarah Green, 1819). Arthur Dumford was born on the 18th December 1891 in Preston and baptised on the 31st January 1892 in the Church of St. Peter & Paul, Preston.
Arthur’s mother died aged 36 years in March 1893, and was interred on the 24th March in St. Peter & Paul’s Churchyard, Preston.
In March 1901 Arthur was residing at Church Lane, Ratby, Leicestershire, this being the family home of his brother, Walter Henry Dumford, a general labourer, born in the April quarter of 1877 in Preston and baptised on the 19th August 1877 in the Church of St. Peter & Paul, Preston and his wife Sarah Ann Dumford (nee Liggins, married on the 17th July 1897 in the Church of St. Philip & St. James, Ratby), born 1879 in Arnesby, Leicestershire (daughter of Thomas Liggins) and their children, Rachel Emma, born on the 21st July 1897 and baptised on the 19th September 1897 in the Church of St. Philip & St. James, Ratby and Walter Henry, born on the 15th April 1899 and baptised on the 21st May 1899 in the Church of St. Philip & St. James, Ratby, the two children were both born in Ratby, also residing with the family was Arthur’s older sibling, John Dunmore, a concrete trade worker, born on the 8th July 1879 in Preston and baptised on the 3rd August 1879 in the Church of St. Peter & Paul, Preston.
In April 1911 Arthur was employed as a shoe trade worker and was residing at Stamford Street, Ratby, this being the family home of his brother Walter, a coal drayman, his wife and children, Rachel, a hosiery trade worker, Walter, a schoolboy, Herbert Hector, a schoolboy, born in the October quarter of 1901 and baptised on the 20th October 1901 in the Church of St. Philip & St. James, Ratby, Alice Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, born in the January quarter of 1904 and baptised on the 17th January 1904 in the Church of St. Philip & St. James, Ratby, Elsie May, a schoolgirl, born in the April quarter of 1907 and baptised on the 21st July 1907 in the Church of St. Philip & St. James, Ratby and Cyril, born in the October quarter of 1909 and baptised on the 21st November 1909 in the Church of St. Philip & St. James, Ratby, the latter four children were all born in Ratby, also residing in the family home was Arthur’s brother, Charles Herbert, a stone quarry man born on the 25th January 1887 and baptised on the 6th March 1887 in the Church of St. Peter & Paul, Preston and his sister, Alice Maud, a hosiery trade worker, born on the 18th January 1889 and baptised on the 24th February 1889 in the Church of St. Peter & Paul, Preston, both siblings were born in Preston.
FAMILY NOTES: Arthur was officially recorded at birth with the surname spelling of Dumford, however the spelling has also been recorded as Dumfort and Durnford.
Arthur also had the following older siblings, Sarah, born on the 24th March 1876 and baptised on the 16th July 1876 in the Church of St. Peter & Paul, Preston, William, born on the 22nd July 1881 and baptised on the 19th June 1881 in the Church of St. Peter & Paul, Preston, Charlotte Elizabeth, born on the 20th August 1883 and baptised on the 16th September 1883 in the Church of St. Peter & Paul, Preston and Mary Emma, born on the 1st February 1885 and baptised on the 15th March 1885 in the Church of St. Peter & Paul, Preston, the latter four siblings were all born in Preston.
An extract taken from the 1920 publication, Rutland and the Great War, compiled by G. Phillips records: - Prior to the outbreak of war he was employed in the shoe trade. After enlisting he went out with the Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force. He was wounded during an action on the left bank of the Tigris and died the next day. The Chaplain wrote: - “He was a splendid fellow, full of energy and resource and a brave soldier.
Arthur enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 2nd November 1914 in Coalville, and was allotted the regimental service number 15807. He gave his place of birth as Preston, Uppingham, Leicestershire and age as 22 years 319 days. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as quarry man. He gave his present address as Woodbine Cottages, Stamford Street, Ratby.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Coalville on the 2nd November 1914 and recorded his birthplace as Preston, Uppingham, declared age as 22 years 319 days, trade or occupation as quarry man, that he was 5-feet 8 inches in height, weighed 142 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 33½ and 35½ inches, his physical development was described as fair, pulse 72, his vision was described as R.E.-V=normal. L.E.-V=normal. Enlisted at Coalville on the 2nd November 1914. Joined on enlistment Leicestershire Regt. Regimental No. 15807.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 22 years 319 days, height 5-feet 8 inches weight 142 lbs, chest measurement of between 33½ and 35½ inches his complexion was described as fresh, he had blue eyes and his hair colour was light brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, [none recorded]. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for the Army. Date 2nd November 1914. Place Coalville.
He gave his next of kin as his brothers, Walter Harry Dumford, Charles Herbert Dumford, Woodbine Cottages, Stamford Street, Ratby. Brother John Dunmore Dumford, Leicester Road, Groby. Sister Emma Liggins, Hollow Lane, Anstey, Leicester.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Coalville. 2/11/14.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 3/11/14.
Posted. To 10th (Reserve) Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 14/11/14.
Application for Discharge of a Recruit as not likely to become an efficient Soldier (Army Form B.204).
Medically examined by H. W. Vaughan.
Approved by Colonel W. A. Eden.
Cause of objection. Swelling of feet, oedema and mitral murmur in heart.
Station. Fort Nelson, Fareham, January 1915.
Discharged. Under Para 392 (IIIC) King’s Regulations. 1/2/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 2/11/14 – 1/2/15. 82 days.
Total Service. 82 days.
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, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Registers.
Enlisted/Attested in Oakham, Rutland into the Regular Army. 15/10/15.
Joined. At Leicester. Date not known.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. Date not known.
Allotted the Regimental Service number 21799.
Posted. To 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. Date not known.
First entered the theatre of war in Mesopotamia after the 31st December 1915.
Promoted. To Lance Corporal. Date not known.
Promoted. To Acting Corporal. Date not known.
Wounded in action. In the Field. 22/2/17.
Died of wounds. In the Field. 22/2/17.
Body not recovered. Commemorated on the Basra Memorial, Iraq.
Awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In the event of his death, Arthur nominated his brother, Walter Henry as his sole legatee.
The War Diary records: 22 Feb-17 - 19th Brigade with 2 Battalions attacked enemy’s right at 10.00am. Succeeded in taking first two lines and repulsed three counter attacks, the third of which was very heavy. During the attack the Turks bombarded our 1st and 2nd lines. At 3.15pm the 51st and 53rd SIKHS attacked the enemy left under a heavy bombardment. The 53rd SIKHS were on the right and “C” Company of the LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT were in support to them. The 53rd entered the enemy 1st line, but on the Turks, counter attacking, many of them retired. About 4.00pm “C” Company supported passed through 53rd SIKHS, rallying many. They soon passed into the Turkish 2nd line. “B” Company supported “C” Company very shortly after, “D” Company going into PRINCES FIRE TRENCH and “A” Company into PRINCES REST TRENCH. Splendid reports came from “C” and “B” Companies and the Turks 2nd line was soon consolidated. During the attack there was heavy rifle fire from the enemy, but luckily it was pretty high, and we had very few casualties. 2nd Lieutenant VINCENT was wounded, 7 men killed and 31 men wounded during the day. The Turk shelling during this attack was not heavy. At night things were quiet except for sniping and the consolidation of the enemy trenches was completed.
The 5th April 1917 edition of the Leicester Mercury published the following under the heading, “LOCAL CASUALTIES.” Lance-Corpl. Arthur Dumford (25), Leicester’s, has died of wounds received in action. The official news was received by the deceased’s sister. Mrs Horace Naylor of Preston, with whom he lived before enlisting in November 1915.
On Thursday April 19th, 1917, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 6, under the heading. – ROLL OF HONOUR. – (A photograph accompanied the article). – Corpl. A. Durnford, mortally wounded. Home was at Ratby.
[recognitum XIII-III-MMXXIV]