Arthur Roberts was born in 1892 at Eccles near Manchester but was brought up in Oswestry living at 3 Osbourne Yard, later at 2 Machine Yard and then at 13 Orchard Street. His mother and father were John and Mary Roberts, who had 9 children of whom 5 survived into adulthood – Jessie, Arthur himself, Herbert, John, Charles, Frank and Ethel. Their father worked as a labourer. Arthur would later work as a boiler maker at Cambrian Railways – also there was brother Herbert who worked as an iron moulder. Arthur was married to Mary, they had no children.

Arthur enlisted in August 1914 joining the 6 Bn KSLI and was one of the original Oswestry Pals. He went over to France with the battalion in July 1915. Arthur died of wounds on 15 June 1916 at Wharncliffe Hospital, Sheffield. From information on his Death Certificate he was most likely wounded on or about 12-13 February 1916 – at that time the battalion was occupying dug outs on the bank of the Ypres Canal just north of Ypres town. The enemy was very active and during the day heavily bombarded the battalion’s positions causing casualties of 4 Officers and 20 ORs killed and 46 wounded. Many men had been buried when a large Nissan hut in the canal bank received a direct hit. Arthur was wounded in the head, he was evacuated back to hospital at Sheffield where after several operations in April and May he succumbed to his injuries 4 months later. His Death Certificate records he died of Hernia cerebrie and septic infection of wound.

Arthur was buried in Oswestry Cemetery on 20 June 1916, his headstone inscription simply says ‘R.I.P.’, chosen by his mother. He is also commemorated at St Oswald’s Church, at Holy Trinity Church and on the Cambrian Railway Memorial in Cae Glas Park, all in Oswestry.

Acknowledgements.

References and Sources

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