Name
Arthur John Baldwin
24/11/97
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
21/03/1918
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
42085
Royal Irish Rifles
16th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ST. SOUPLET BRITISH CEMETERY
I. G. 19.
France
Headstone Inscription
No inscription
UK & Other Memorials
St John the Baptist Church Memorial, Aldbury, Aldbury Peace Memorial Institute Memorial, Aldbury, Not on the Tring memorials
Pre War
Arthur was born 24th Nov 1897 son of William and Sarah Baldwin and baptised on 26th December 1897 at Aldbury church.
In 1901, at the age of 3, Arthur was living near the Greyhound pub in Aldbury. In 1911, at the age of 13 he was at school living in the second house after the Greyhound, Aldbury.
Wartime Service
Arthur enlisted in Tring into the Bedfordshire Regiment (No 31663). Later transferred to the 16/RIR a pioneer battalion. Killed in action at the start of the German offensive Operation Michel.
War Diary of 16th Bn Royal Irish Rifles:
21st March - Battle. Nos 2 & 3 Coys. concentrated to west of SOMME dug-outs. N.W. GRAND SERACOURT. The entire of No 1 Coy. consisting of 9 officers and O.R failed to appear at above rendezvous, having apparently been cut off at JEANNE D'ARC were subsequently posted as missing.
3pm - Orders received from C.R.E for two Coys. to start construction of a track for artillery near ST SIMON. No 2 & 3 Coys started on this work.
Acknowledgments
Jo Bayley, Neil Cooper
