Arthur Gascoigne
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Arthur was born in 1895 in Huthwaite , he was the son of John a colliery engine driver and Eliza Gascoigne née Allsopp. His father John was born in 1854 in Huthwaite and his mother Eliza was born in 1857 also in Huthwaite, they married in the Mansfield Registration district in June 1875 and went on to have a large family of 11 children , however sadly 2 died in infancy prior to 1911, their surviving children were Amos Allsopp b1874, Martha b1875, Stephen b1878, Rowena b1882, Hypatia b1885, John b1887, William Edward b1889, Thomas Bernard b1893, Samuel Harold Vincent Arthur b1895 all were born in Huthwaite. On 3rd January 1907 his father John died at the age of 53 years. By the 1911 the family are living at Barker Street Huthwaite and are shown as Eliza 54 years a widow living with her are her son Stephen 33 yrs a colliery engine driver, John 24 yrs a coal miner, William Edward 22 yrs a banksman at the colliery, Thomas Bernard 18 yrs a banksman at the colliery , Samuel Harold Vincent Arthur 16 yrs a shop assistant and her married daughter Hypatia Bilsdon 26 years who is also a widow having been married for only 4 years, and her daughter Winifred Bilsdon 3 yrs .
Arthur enlisted at Sutton in Ashfield on 23rd February 1916 , he gave his age as 21 years and 132 days, his address as 24 Barker Street, Huthwaite, his next of kin was his mother Eliza of the same address and his occupation was grocers assistant. He was placed into the reserves on the following day 24th February. He was mobilised on 15th April 1916 and following training was posted to the North Staffordshire Regiment on 22nd June 1916. On 4th November 1916 he embarked from Devonport, setting sail to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, arriving and disembarking at Salonika on 16th November 1916. On 25th November he was transferred to the 9th battalion, Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment. While he was at his post on 18th April 1918 , he was hit by shrapnel from a shell which caused wounds to his foot, left thigh, and right shoulder, he was treated at the 68th Field Ambulance Salonika, Greece but died from his wounds on the same day. He was buried the following day 19th at Gugungi Military Cemetery, Greece. He was later re buried at Karasouli Military Cemetery, Greece.
Notts. Free Press - 10th May, 1918. Private A. Gascoyne, Huthwaite Official news has been received on April 18th. of the death from wounds of Private Arthur Gascoyne, 25929, D Company, 9th. Battalion, King's Own Royal Lancasters. He was 22 years of age, and lived in Barker Street, Huthwaite. He went out to Salonika in October, 1917. Three letters have been received which were written by him to different people on the 16th. April. And in them he declared himself to be "in the pink," yet two days later he died of wounds. Before enlisting he was employed at the Huthwaite Co-operative Branch. Notts Free Press – 17th May, 1918. PRIVATE A. GASCOIGNE, HUTHWAITE. Concerning the death of Pte. A. Gascoigne, Barker Street, Huthwaite – recorded in our last issue - the following letters have been received "I am sorry to have the painful duty of informing you of the death from wounds received in action on April 17th of your son 25929 Pte. Gascoigne. It happened whilst he was on post, a shell unfortunately striking where he and two companions were standing. He died nobly doing his duty, and I extend to you the deepest sympathy of his Company comrades and myself in your great bereavement." - 2nd Lieut. T. Parker. “I am writing to express to you my deep sympathy in the loss of your son, Pte. A Gascoigne. Until some six weeks ago it was my pleasant duty to command the Company in which your son was. I knew him well, for I had good cause to since he was one of the most reliable and trustworthy men in my Company. His own particular job, as you no doubt know, was that of a Lewis gunner, and in that capacity he could not be beaten. He was always refreshingly cheerful, and on all occasions turned up smiling, no matter what was going on. He refused to be downcast, which we all know counts for so much in these days of hardship. You may believe me that he is very deeply missed by all the men and officers in his Company, and particularly by his own friends, for he must have been a friend indeed. The Battalion to which he belonged is undergoing many changes; people come and go, but I know that it is always the going that is hardest, both for those who leave and for those left behind. I will always be pleased to help if it lies within my power. -From Capt. T.W. Harbey. His family grave has the inscription : - IN MEMORY OF JOHN BELOVED HUSBAND OF ELIZA GASCOIGNE, WHO DIED JAN 3RD 1907, AGED 53 YEARS. ALSO ELIZA, WIFE OF THE ABOVE, DIED JUNE 16TH 1921, AGED 64 YEARS. ALSO PTE. ARTHUR GASCOIGNE KILLED AT SALONICA APRIL 18TH 1918, AGED 23 YEARS.
