Arthur Fotheringham
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Arthur Fotheringham was born at Byth, Nottinghamshire. in 1895, the youngest child, and son, of John and Ann Fotheringham. Before the birth of Arthur, the parents had travelled around, having their earlier children at different locations in the area, no doubt. John, securing work as a shepherd. They had eight children in all. By 1911, they were living in Hodsock near Blyth where Arthur was working as a domestic gardener. Later, the family moved to Worksop residing at 171 Gateford Road and in 1913 Arthur was living at 15 Stubbing Lane.
Arthur Fotheringham Service Record Arthur Joined the Territorial Force on the 9th May 1913 when he was 18 years 11 months old, for a period of 4 years. He was considered fit when he was accepted for the 1st 8th Sherwood Foresters on the same date. He carried out his annual training at Tinsley Park on the 27 July 1913. His full time service commenced on the 5th August 1914. In Sept 1914, he signed an agreement to subject himself to serve outside the UK. On the 1st March 1915 he went to France never to return. His name is commemorated on the Loos memorial. His personal effects of photos, rosary, letters, razor and comb. were returned to his mother as were his British and Victory medals Pte Arthur Fotheringham Worksop Guardian 5 November 1915 News is to hand that Pte Arthur Fotheringham, of 171 Gateford Road, Worksop, Sherwood Foresters, has been killed in action. Deceased would have been 21 years old today (Friday), was a respected member of a respected family. He had a premonition of his own death as is proved by the following letter from Pte Wilks, his old friend and comrade in the Sherwoods:- “I am sorry I have the worst possible news for you. Before coming into the trenches this last time, Arthur gave me his belt and asked me to take it home when I went on furlough should anything happen to him. He asked me also to write to you. I am grieved to say his premonition was correct, for he was killed in the charge. He was my friend and liked by all in the Platoon. We miss him very much.” Pte Wilks also sent a similar letter to Miss Burdett, Pte Fotheringham’s fiancée. Pte Fotheringham’s letters were of a particularly bright and cheerful character, which makes the premonition all the more remarkable. To his last letter, for instance, he added the post script “Are we downhearted. No.” Although a native of Blyth, Pte Fotheringham had worked and lived in Worksop for some time before he was mobilised with the Worksop Territorials immediately on the outbreak of war. He was a gardener at the Kilton nurseries. Great sympathy will be extended to his relatives and friends of this their hour of bitter trial.
CWG additional information:- Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Fotheringham, of 171, Gateford Rd., Worksop, Notts. Research by Colin Dannatt
