Name
Arthur Charles (Charlie) Shambrook
1893
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
29/09/1915
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
14208
Bedfordshire Regiment
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LINSELLES COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Plot IV, Row B, Grave 36
France
Headstone Inscription
THOUGH FAR FROM US WE LOVED SO DEAR WE LEAVE HIM IN HIS MASTER'S CARE
UK & Other Memorials
Codicote Village Memorial, Peace Memorial Hall, Codicote
Pre War
Arthur Charles Shambrook was born in Codicote in 1893, the only son of John and Elizabeth Shambrook, and was baptised on 30 April 1893 at St Giles, Codicote. He had a younger sister Miriam.
On the 1901 Census the family were living at Heath Lane Lodge, Codicote where his father was working as a Gardener (Domestic). The family had moved to High Street, Codicote by 1911 and Arthur was working as a Grocer's Assistant.
When he left school his first employment was as a Telegraph Messenger for the Codicote Post Office. He then worked as a Grocer's Assistant for Messrs Robarts & Sons for six years.
Wartime Service
Arthur enlisted in Codicote, joined the 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment and was sent to France on 28 August 1915, boarding a train to Dover, then transferring to a troop ship and arrived at Boulogne early on 30 August 1915.
He was wounded when, under terrible German gunfire during the Battle of Loos, he was shot through the cheek and the bullet came out through his neck. He died of his wounds, at the West Riding (Yorks) Casualty Clearing Station on 29 September 1915, aged 22.
He is buried at Linselles Communal Cemetery, France.
Additional Information
His father, J Shambrook Esq, High Street, Codicote, Nr. Welwyn, Herts., ordered his headstone inscription: "THOUGH FAR FROM US WE LOVED SO DEAR WE LEAVE HIM IN HIS MASTER'S CARE". His mother received a war gratuity of £3.10s and pay owing of £4 5s 5d. A pension card exists but gives no indication of a pension received. A local newspaper report of his death said he was "a great favourite" and described him as "cheerful and kind hearted". The report also described a letter to his parents from a close friend, Pte William J Gearing (who had been employed as a gardener at The Node, Codicote and had enlisted at the same time) dated 28 September saying that he was sad to lose his bosom pal and hoped he was not wounded too seriously. He also commented that the German sniper had been up a tree and directly after had been shot by their own sergeant.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Brenda Palmer, June Colegrove, Roll-of-Honour.com, www.bedfordregiment.org.uk
