Pte 57707 Arthur Flinders

• Age: 29
• From: Nottingham
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• D.O.W Tuesday 27th February 1917
• Commemorated at: Avesnes-le- Comte Cc Ext
  Panel Ref: IV.B.19

Arthur was born in Nottingham on 16th October 1887 the son of Herbert Flinders and his wife Sarah Elizabeth (nee Wood) who were married in Nottingham in May 1887. Arthur  was baptised on 30th January 1895 at St Anthony's Church in Lenton, He had two siblings who were both born in Sheffield; Herbert born 1889 and Albert born 1891. 

His father, Herbert's Snr died in 1893 aged 30.

Sarah Elizabeth remarried to Albert Brown. They went on to have 5 children all born in Nottingham.

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 1 Albion Terrace, Standhill Road, Carlton. Arthur is a colour grinder for an ink manufacturer. He was employed by Atkin Brothers of Radford for 8 years.

There are passengers lists for an Arthur Flinders in 1912 age 24/25, labourer,  from Liverpool to St Johns, Canada on April 20th 1912, returning June 28th from Quebec.

Arthur married Gertrude Howitt in 1913. A son, Arthur Ernest, was born in the September quarter of 1914. They lived at 114 Montpelier Road, Dunkirk, Nottingham.

Arthur enlisted in Nottingham joining the North Midlands Divisional Cyclist Company as Private 237. He subsequently transferred to the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 57707. 

Newspaper reports suggest that Arthur was hit by a sniper and died of his wounds on 27th February 1917. 

Nottingham Evening Post 12th March 1917

FLINDERS.- Killed by a sniper on 27th February 1917, Private Arthur Flinders, King's Liverpool Regiment. He did his duty - From his sorrowing wife and child.

Nottingham Evening Post 4th April 1917:

A photo with caption "Pte A. Flinders K.R.R(sic), 114 Montpelier Rd, Dunkirk, killed in action Feb. 27th.

Arthur now rests at Avesnes Comte CC Extension at IV.B.19 where his headstone bears the poignant epitaph:

"NEVER WILL YOUR MEMORY FADE"

The village of Avesnes-le-Comte was for some time the VI Corps headquarters. The 37th and 30th Casualty Clearing Stations were there from April 1916, the 42nd in June 1916, and the 41st in January 1917. The communal cemetery contains 2 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, both made in April 1916. Thereafter, burials were made in the extension, which contains 333 graves, 4 of which are unidentified. Most of these were from the 37th CCS which stayed in the village until July 1917. The Extension also contains 4 Second World War burials. The Extension was designed by Charles Holden.

Soldiers Effects and Pension to widow Gertrude and child Arthur Ernest

On the first anniversary of his death on 27th February 1918 his brother paid tribute to Arthur:

FLINDERS.- In loving memory of Pte. Arthur Flinders, King's Liverpool Regt, killed in action February 27th, 1917. A day of rememberance, sad to recall,- From his loving brother Albert with the colours and sister in law. 

Arthur is commemorated on the Lenton War Memorial in Nottinghamshire.

We currently have no further information on Arthur Flinders. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.