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Sergeant Arthur George Compton

Description

TitleSergeant Arthur George ComptonSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionArthur was born 27 March 1893, fourth son of Edward Green and Katherine E. Compton, of Newton Burgoland, Leicester, England. Arthur was educated at Heather High School, Leicestershire and after a course at the Midland Agricultural College, he emigrated to New Zealand. He joined his uncle Mr Frederick William Compton, of Annat, as a farm hand. He was 5ft 6.5in tall with a dark complexion, brown eyes and brown hair. He had a scar on his left wrist and another on his right knee.

He enlisted on 18 August 1915 at Rangiora and was assigned to the Canterbury Infantry. He embarked with the Main Body and sailed on 16 October for Suez. He missed the Gallipoli landing by a fortnight through being a diphtheria contact but joined his battalion on 9 May 1915. He served throughout the campaign except for eight days in hospital for tonsillitis and a week's furlough to visit his home. All three of his brothers served with the British forces.

He embarked for France 7 April 1916 and was killed in action on 21 September 1916, aged 23. This was the penultimate day of the New Zealand Division’s part in the battle for Flers–Courcelette. The battle is significant for the first use of the tank in warfare. Arthur is buried in the Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval, Somme. Arthur is remembered on the Malvern County and Sheffield War memorials. In England he is also remembered on the Sutton Bonnington School of Agriculture War Memorial and the Swepstone War Memorial Plaque in St Peter’s Church.
First NameArthur GeorgeLast NameComptonFamilySingleFourth son of Edward Green and Katherine E. Compton, of Newton Burgoland, Leicester, EnglandDate of Birth27 March 1893Place of BirthLeicester, EnglandDate of Death21 September 1916Place of DeathFrance Cause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death23

Connections

CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageMalvern War MemorialSheffield War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph

Military Service

Memorial or CemeteryCaterpillar Valley CemeteryMalvern County War MemorialSheffield War MemorialOccupation before EnlistingFarm HandEnlistment Details18th August 1915 at RangioraService Number6/871Embarkation16th October 1915CountryNew Zealand

Attribution

Researched ByL. M. Seaton

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Sergeant Arthur George Compton