Arthur Slingsby
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
John Edward and Sarah Ann Slingsby had married in 1887 in Retford. Later that year, they had their first child, John Henry. John Edward Slingsby was a gardener at Babworth Hall and lived in Babworth with his family. The couple had three more children, all boys, George born 1889, Arthur in 1892 and Albert in 1906. Their first born sadly died in 1897 aged just 10 years old. As they grew older, Arthur took employment as a gardener on the Rufford estate, near Ollerton, Notts. His brother George also worked on the Rufford estate and he eventually landed the position of valet to Frederick Orr-Lewis,( later Sir Frederick) a wealthy Canadian. In May 1915, he was travelling as valet with his employer on the Lusitania when it was torpedoed but was later rescued. Arthur, on the other hand, left his gardening work and enlisted in the army at Retford.
Arthur was sent to the western front to fight with the 10th Duke of Wellington's. It was there that he contracted pneumonia and died. He was buried at the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium. Pte Arthur Slingsby Retford Times 13 April 1917 Sincere sympathy is felt with Mr and Mrs J E Slingsby of the Old Lodge, Babworth Hall, Retford, in the loss of their son, Pte Arthur Slingsby of the West Riding Regt, who died from pneumonia in France on March 26th. He was 25 years of age and before joining the Colours in March 1916 was employed in the gardens at Park Hall, Mansfield Woodhouse. He had previously been employed at Osberton and at Rufford Abbey. He underwent his preparatory training at Clipstone Camp and had been out in France seven months. The gallant young soldier was a man of very fine physique and a very popular football player. When home on leave before going to the front he looked the picture of health and it was thought that he was quite equal to all the stress and strain of the battle field. His Company Q.M.S. writes to say that they had been on the march when he was taken ill and adds:- “He was a good soldier and although had not been with us long we all miss him very much.” On March 22nd the sister in charge of the 3rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station, France, wrote stating that he was seriously ill but assuring his parents that he was in a comfortable bed and that there were doctors and sisters who knew how to give him the care he needed. He passed away on March 26th but his parents did not hear of his death until Monday April 2nd.
CWG additional information:- Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Slingsby, of Old Lodge, Babworth, Retford, Notts. Research by Colin Dannatt
