Arthur Reginald Appleby
Thiepval Memorial
(c) CWGC
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Arthur Reginald
Appleby was the son of Edwin and
Hester Ruth Appleby, of 22 Bromley Road, Ashley Down, Bristol. He was born in
Horfield, and his Medal Index Card shows he went overseas at the start of
November 1914.
Arthur has no known grave as he was recorded missing in August 1915 soon after his battalion, the 1st Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, had moved to the Somme. The Battalion War Diary for August 1915 gives us an indication of what happened to him. Interestingly, the diary mentions him by name - the entry for the 20th August reads: 2/Lieut BM Taylor and Privates Chadwick and Appleby went out in front of No.24 for purpose of wiring. Pte Appleby was sent back to get more wire, but apparently lost his way and has not been since seen. At dawn Lieutenant BM Taylor crawled out but could see no sign of him. Casualties: 1 missing, 3 wounded. The war diaries also contain a hand drawn trench map of the sector at Maricourt, and a panoramic view from the very trenches where Appleby disappeared. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. Arthur’s brother, Bertie is also commemorated on the memorial in Horfield Church. He too was part of the 1st DCLI, and was reported missing in action, between High Wood and Delville Wood, during the Battle of the Somme, on 20 July 1916. He is also commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. Fact File: Unit and Regiment: 1st Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry Rank: Private Service Number: 10442 Date of Death: 21st August 1915 Age upon Death: 23 Commemorated: Thiepval Memorial; Horfield Parish Church Memorial |
