Name
Arthur Constable
1892
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
09/08/1916
24
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
20576
Bedfordshire Regiment
6th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 2C
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, Holy Saviour Church War Memorial, Radcliffe Rd., Hitchin, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin, St Faith's Church War Memorial, Walsworth, St Katherine’s Church Memorial, Ickleford
Pre War
Arthur Constable was born born in Walsworth, Hitchin in 1892, the son of Clement and Ellen Constable, and baptised on 4 March 1894 at St Mary's, Hitchin. They were then living at 4 William Road, Walsworth, Hitchin. He was the eldest of six children, although one had died by 1911.
The family later moved to Lower Green, Ickleford and were living there on the 1901 and 1911 Censuses. His occupation was given as a shepherd in 1911 and his father was also a shepherd working for Mr A Wallace.
Wartime Service
Arthur enlisted in Bedford in May 1915 and joined the Bedfordshire Regiment. He went to France in February 1916 and served with the 6th Battalion under the Regimental Number 20576. The Battalion was part of the 12th Brigade of the 37th Division.
The Battalion was at Bazentin-le-Petit on the Somme on the 6th August 1916 and took part in operations there around the Intermediate Line. They came under heavy fire from High Wood and made no progress so that their patrols were ordered to withdraw with their casualties, including the wounded, being left behind.
Arthur was presumed killed in action on or since 9 August 1916. during the Battle of Pozieres. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
Additional Information
His father received a war gratuity of £4 10s 0d and pay owing of £6 6s 11d.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Brenda Palmer, Jonty Wild, www.bedfordregiment.org.uk
