Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Frederick Ratcliffe, a hosiery trade machinist, born in the July quarter of 1868 in Leicester (son of Edward Ratcliffe, 1843 and Elizabeth Hassell, 1847) and his wife Elizabeth Ratcliffe (nee Brant, married in the April quarter of 1890 in Leicester), born in the July quarter of 1867 in Leicester (daughter of John Brant, 1844 and Annie Dennis, 1845). Arthur was born in the April quarter of 1891 in Leicester, in April 1891 the family home was at 7, Liggins Street, St. Matthew’s, Leicester.
In March 1901 Arthur was residing in the family home at 30, James Street, Prestwich, North Manchester, Lancashire, together with his father, a fruit salesman, his mother and siblings, Frederick Albert, born in the October quarter of 1892, Archibald Ernest, born on the 18th February 1895 and baptised on the 25th March 1911 in the Church of St. Barnabas, Leicester and Florence Elizabeth, born on the 13th June 1897, all his siblings were born in Leicester.
In April 1911 Arthur was employed as a shoe trade clicker and was residing in the family home at 26, St. Saviour’s Road East, St. Stephen’s, Leicester, together with his father, a fruit salesman, his mother and siblings, Albert, a fish salesman, Archibald, a clerk, Florence, a schoolgirl, John Edward, a schoolboy, born on the 3rd February 1902 and Charles, a schoolboy, born on the 10th June 1904, the latter two siblings were both born in Manchester, Lancashire and George Henry, a schoolboy, born on the 12th April 1907 in Leicester.
Arthur enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 1st September 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 2619. He gave his place of birth as Leicester and age as 23 years 6 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as shoe hand.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 1st September 1914 and recorded his birthplace as St. Matthew’s, Leicester, declared age as 23 years 330 days, trade or occupation as shoe hand, that he was 5-feet 7½ inches in height, weighed 10 stone, had a chest measurement of between 32 and 34 inches, his physical development was described as [not recorded], his vision was described as R.E.-V=Good. L.E.-V=Good. Enlisted at Leicester on the 1st September 1914. Joined on enlistment 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Regimental No. 2619.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 23 years 6 months, height 5-feet 7½ inches weight 10 stone, chest measurement of between 32 and 34 inches his complexion was described as sallow, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was fair. The following distinctive marks were noted, [none recorded]. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for the Territorial Force. Date 1st September 1914. Place Leicester.
He gave his next of kin as his mother Mrs. E. Ratcliffe, 26. St. Saviour’s Road East, Leicester. 234-4, Charnwood Street, 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 Leicester 1/9/14.
Posted. To 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 1/9/14.
Embodied service commenced. 1/9/14.
Embarked with the 1/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 2/3/15.
Disembarked. Le Havre. 2/3/15
Admitted. To No. 8 Casualty Clearing Station. In the Field. 13/4/15.
Admitted. To Hospital. 14/4/15.
Transferred. To Hospital. England. 15/4/15.
Appointed. Lance Corporal. 4/9/15.
Posted. To 3/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. L/Cpl. 11/10/15.
Promoted. To Acting Corporal. 27/11/15.
Transferred. To 1/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. A/Cpl. 11/7/16.
Relinquishes acting rank on embarkation. Pte. 11/7/16.
Re-embarked. From Folkestone. 13/7/16.
Disembarked. Boulogne. 13/7/16.
Joined. 12th Infantry Brigade Depot, Etaples. 13/7/16.
Proceeded. To join No.3 Entrenching Bn. 26/7/16.
Promoted. To Acting Sergeant (paid). 4/8/16.
Under the Army Council Instruction (A.C.I. 2414/1916), published on the 23rd December 1916, that promulgated a new numbering system for all Territorial Force units, allotted the regimental service number 200410.
Relinquishes rank on being reposted. Pte. 27/3/17.
Posted. To 8th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 27/3/17.
Joined. 8th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 7/4/17.
Reported. Missing in action. In the Field. 3/5/17.
Struck off strength of Battalion from. 28/6/17.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 1/9/14 – 1/3/15. 182 days.
France. 2/3/15 – 15/4/15. 45 days.
Home Service. 16/4/15 – 11/7/16. 1 year 87 days.
France. 12/7/16 – 3/5/17. 296 days.
Total Service. 2 years 245 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
MILITARY NOTE:
On the 31st January 1918 the Officer in Charge of Infantry Records, Lichfield is informed that the report received on an official German List forwarded by the Netherlands Legation Y55017, of the death of No. 2619/200410 Pte. A. Ratcliffe, 8 Leicester Regiment has been accepted as sufficient evidence for official purposes, and that the date of death has been assumed to be between 3rd and 8th May 1917.
The next-of-kin should be notified accordingly and the usual papers prepared, if not already done.
Signed R. C. Fowler, 4/2/18.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 3 May-17 - BOYELLES. The attack on the village of FONTAINE-LES-CROISILLES was made on this day. There were three objectives, 1st SENSEE RIVER from approximately T.18.b.5.3 to U.2.b.5.5 2nd junction of SENSEE RIVER and SUNKEN ROAD at T.18.b.5.3 – U.7.c.6.5 – U.7.d.7.8 – U.14.a.7.2 – U.4.c.4.3. The 64th Infantry Brigade to bomb south eastwards down HINDENBURG LINE. Two tanks were attached to the 110th Infantry Brigade. Zero hour was at 3.45 am (summer time) and the attack started under a creeping barrage. The Battalion was disposed in two waves of two lines each, with a wave of moppers up behind. From right to left “A” Company (Lieutenant J. R. GLOVER) “B” Company (Captain A. G. ASTLE) “C” Company (Major T. L. WARNER) formed the line of attack each Company having a two-platoon frontage. “D” Company (2nd Lieutenant J. W. CORBETT) was drawn up in two lines, 60 yards in rear. The formation was two waves, each of two lines 10 yards between lines and 60 yards between waves with “D” Company as moppers up. The 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT attached on the left of the Battalion. On the right, the flank was secured by the possession of the HINDENBURG LINE as far as the BLOCK, beyond this the flank was to be secured by the 64th Infantry Brigade. Bombing attack down the line. The morning was very dark, sunrise was not until 5.23 am (summer time), the dust and smoke from our own barrage and that of the enemy which opened almost simultaneously, making it impossible to see more than a few yards ahead. Direction was lost rather early and the line swung over to the right, being compelled thereto by the 18th Division on the left, crossing the front of the 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT and pressing then to the right. By 6.00 am it became evident that the attack had failed. No progress had been made by the 64th Infantry Brigade bombers in the HINDENBURG LINE, and the front of the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT was outflanked, in parts surrounded, and with a prospect of being cut off. The left flank (“C” Company) had been held up by excessive machine gun fire and took up a position in the sunken road running into FONTAINE-LES-CROISILLES through U.1.b. The remainder of the Battalion were on a line roughly 300 yards South of the jumping off place BROWN TRENCH T.6.a., N.36.c and d to road in O.31.c. Here the Battalion remained and at about 11.30 am, it was reinforced by the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. This line was held throughout the day and consolidated. No assistance was given by the two Tanks during the attack, both of them breaking down. The following casualties were suffered by the Battalion during the action, Officers. Captain A. G. ASTLE and 2nd Lieutenant F. E. PRATLEY killed, Major T. L. WARNER, 2nd Lieutenant G. B. JOHNSON, 2nd Lieutenant R. J. HARRIS, 2nd Lieutenant R. L. SENNETT and 2nd Lieutenant P. H. HILL wounded, Lieutenant F. R. OLIVER missing believed wounded and Prisoner of War, 2nd Lieutenant F. W. H. CLARKE wounded and Prisoner of War, 2nd Lieutenant’s F. B. PITTS and W. HARRIS Prisoners of War. Other ranks. Killed 19, wounded 101, missing 168, died of wounds 3. Total 11 officers, 291 other ranks.
On the 24th October 1918, Arthur’s mother Mrs. Ratcliffe of Charnwood Street, Leicester was awarded a weekly Army Dependants Pension of seven shillings, commensurate on the 12th April 1918.
[recognitum XII-VII-MMXXIV]