Arthur Bassett
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Arthur was the youngest son of John Thomas and Edna Ann Bassett (née Woodward). His father was born in Leicestershire in about 1858, the son of John Thomas Bassett, and his mother in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, in about 1862, the daughter of William Woodward. John and Edna were married at North Wingfield St Lawrence, Derbyshire, in June 1878, he was 21 and she 17. They had eight children, two of whom died young. Their surviving children were born in Ilkeston: Florence b. 1879 bap. Clay Cross Derbyshire 1879, John (Jack) Thomas b. 1882 bap. Ilkeston 1890, Alice b. 1884 bap. Ilkeston 1890, Mary b. 1886 bap. Ilkeston 1889, Percy birth registered 1892 (J/F/M) bap. Ilkeston March 1892 and Arthur b. 1895 bap. Tibshelf Derbyshire 13 March 1901. John, a coal miner hewer, Edna and their daughter Florence were living in Danesmoor, Derbyshire, in 1881 but had moved to Chapel Street, Ilkeston, by 1891 where they were living with their four children Florence, John, Alice and Mary. The family was living on Brook Street, Tibshelf, by 1901 but only four of the six children were in the home on the night of the census: John a coal miner ganger, Mary, Percy and Arthur (5). Alice, who was working in the lace trade, was a boarder at an address in Radford, Nottingham. Her older sister Florence has not yet been traced on the census but it is likely that she married later in 1901. Alice married in 1902 (Burgin). Arthur's parents had separated by 1911 when his father was a boarder with a family in Tibshelf, Derbyshire. His mother was recorded on the census at 33 Rupert Street, Meadows, Nottingham, and named as Edna Haslam, the wife of four years of Joseph Haslam, a coal miner hewer. Joseph's wife, Elizabeth (née Turner b. abt. 1868), had died in 1907, probably leaving him with seven children the youngest of whom, Mary Gladys (b. 1900), was living with her father and Edna. Also in the household was Edna's son Arthur, a joiner, and a boarder, Walter Ball (54) a lace twist hand. There is no record of a marriage between Joseph and Edna and Arthur's military records and notices of his death in the local paper gave his mother's surname as 'Bassett.' Neither of Arthur's parents have been traced after 1911 apart from his mother's name on CWGC and military records. According to an 'In Memoriam, notice in 1917, his brother Percy was serving in Ireland.
3rd Bn Grenadier Guards Pte. Bassett volunteered for service and following training was drafted to France on 5 October 1915. He was with the Grenadier Guards in the Ypres Salient in April 1916, helping to improve the defences, and was killed on 27 April 1916. An 'In Memoriam' notice of 1917 said that he had been killed by a shell. Arthur was buried at Potijze Burial Ground Cemetery (grave ref. D.5). He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of Potijze Burial Ground Cemetery (extract): The cemetery is close to the town of Iepres [Ypres]. 'Potijze was within the Allied lines during practically the whole of the First Word War and although subject to incessant shell fire, Potijze Chateau contained an Advanced Dressing Station. Potijze Burial Ground Cemetery was used from April 1915 to October 1918.' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC Additional information: 'Son of Edna Ann Bassett, of 33, Rupert St., Meadows, Nottingham.' CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Rest in peace' Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 5 & 6 May 1916: ‘Bassett. Killed in action, April 27th, Pte A Bassett, Grenadier Guards, youngest son of Mrs E Bassett, Rupert-street, Meadows. Bravely and cheerfully he did his duty. From his sorrowing mother, sisters, and brothers.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 8 May 1916: ‘Bassett. Killed in action, April 27th, Pte A Bassett, in his 21st year. From his loving sister and brother, Mr and Mrs Ellis.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Note: Mary Bassett m. 1907 Ernest Albert Ellis and living on Middle Furlong Road, Meadows, in 1911. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 27 April 1917: ‘Bassett. In loving memory of Private A Bassett, Grenadier Guards, of 33, Rupert-street, killed by shell at Ypres, April 27th, 1916. I often sit and think of you, when I am all alone, but memory is the only friend that grief can call its own. From his sorrowing mother, sisters, brother Percy (in Ireland), sweetheart Vi (London).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 27 April 1917: ‘Bassett. Killed in action, April 27th, 1916, Private A Bassett. They miss you most who loved you best. From his loving sister and brother, Mr and Mrs Ellis.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) WW1 Pension Ledgers Index Cards: named his mother, Edna Ann Bassett.
