Pte 44253 Arthur George Corlett

• Age: 32
• From: Toxteth Liverpool
• Regiment: 12 MANCHESTERS
• Died on Monday 17th September 1917
• Commemorated at: Sunken Road Cem, Fampoux
  Panel Ref: I.A.26

Arthur George was born at Toxteth on 01st August 1885 the son of William and Mary Corlett (nee Abbott) of 27 Carrington Street, Toxteth. He was baptised at St James' Church, Toxteth Park on 30th August 1885. The baptismal records show that the family were living at 59 Harrowby Street, and his fathers occupation was a Wallet and Clock maker. William and Mary had married in 1879 at St peter's Church, Liverpool. 

At the time of the 1891 census Arthur George was 5 years of age and living with his family at Carrington Street. His father is shown as a Watch and Clock maker born in Liverpool in 1845, whilst his mother was born in Liverpool in 1851. He had an elder brother Thomas and four sisters Elizabeth, Sarah, Gertrude and Elsie.

He was educated at Liverpool Collegiate School.

By 1901 the family are at 27 Carrington Street, Toxteth Park. His parents are both present in the household and Arthur George is shown as 15 years of age and employed as a Messenger for the Dock Board. His sisters Sarah, Gertrude and Ellsie are still living at home and there are two boarders living at the property. 

The 1911 Census shows both parents are still in the household at 27 Carrington Street, Arthur George is by now 25 years of age and a Book Keeper. His younger sister, Elsie, is still at home 

Arthur enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 31st August 1914, the very first day of enlistment, into the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 15393. He advised that he was 29 years and 30 days old and was employed as a Clerk. This was with the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board. He is described as 5' 8 and a quarter, weighed 134lbs, was of fair complexion and had blue eyes. He gave his religion as Church of England.

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

Arthur was injured by gun shot wounds to his left thigh and shoulder in the action at the opening day of the Battle of the Somme. He was hospitalised at Rouen before he was sent to the Military hospital at Etaples.

Upon recovery from his wounds he transferred to the 12th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment on 18th September, 1916 as Private 44253. He died of wounds on 17th September, 1917 aged 32 following a gun shot wound to the abdomen and he now rests at the Sunken Road Cemetery at Fampoux. 

Fampoux village was taken by the 4th Division on 9 April 1917, lost at the end of March 1918, and retaken at the end of the following August. Sunken Road Cemetery is at the summit of the sunken road to Bailleul, on the east side. It was made by burial officers and fighting units between April 1917 and January 1918. Sunken Road Cemetery contains 196 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 26 of the burials are unidentified and sixteen graves, destroyed by shell fire, are now represented by special memorials.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on the 17th September 1917:

DIED FROM WOUNDS

CORLETT - September 17, from wounds received in action Private Arthur G. Corlett, Manchester Regiment, late K.L.R., our dearly-loved youngest son of William and Mary Corlett, 27 Carrington Street, Liverpool. (Deeply mourned.) 

His parents placed a notice in the Liverpool Daily Post on the 04th October 1917:

CONDOLENCE

CORLETT - Mr and Mrs Corlett and family wish to thank all friends for the much appreciated kind letters of sympathy to them in their great sorrow. 27 Carrington Street, Parkway, Liverpool.

His personal belongings were sent to his mother and included; Letters, a pipe, 2 mirrors, a cap badge, and a 15 carat gold ring. 

Probate was granted to his mother on 29th April 1918 in the sum of £122 19s. 1d.

Arthur George is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Liverpool Collegiate School

Liverpool at the Masonic Hall on Hope Street.

St Brides Church, Liverpool

Mersey Docks and Harbour Board