Name
Arthur John Baldwin
24 Nov 1897
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 John Baldwin was born 24 Nov 1897 in Aldbury (baptised on 26 Dec 1897 at Aldbury) to William Baldwin, labourer, and Sarah (nee Scott).
On the 1901,Census Arthur aged 3 was living near the Greyhound pub in Aldbury, with his parents, Kate (born 1890), Ann (born 1892), Leonard (born 1894), Arthur and Elsie (born 1900).
In 1911, at the age of 13 he was at school living in the same house near the Greyhound, pub, Aldbury, with hid parents, Leonard, Charles (born 1905), Doris (born 1907) and Reginald (born 1910).
Wartime Service
No Service Record was found for Arthur, who had enlisted in Tring into the Bedfordshire Regiment (as Private 31663). He was later transferred to the 16th (Service) Battalion (2nd County Down ) (Pioneers) of the Royal Irish Rifles as Rifleman 42085. the 16th were divisional troops of the 36th (Ulster) Division. The Division had fought at the Battles of the Somme on 1st Jul 1916 and had suffered heavy casualties when attacking the Schwaben Redoubt at Thiepval and Arthur may have been part of the replacement of casualties. In 1917 his division were at Messines Ridge, Langemarck (3rd Ypres) and Cambrai (Boulon Wood). In 1918 they were to take part in the Battle of St Quentin against the German Spring Offensive. The 16th Battalion were situated at Serracourt in reserve (as normal) on 21 Mar when the Germans broke through the lines after a heavy barrage. Arthur was reported killed in action during the confusion of the breakthrough that day.
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.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £7 10s and arrears of £7 16s 4d was paid to his mother.
Acknowledgments
Jo Bayley, Neil Cooper
