Gunner 101293 Arthur Victor Sargent

Both photographs courtesy of Arthur's great nephew, Richard Latham. The grave photograph was taken on the centenary of Arthur's death.

Killed in Action on Tuesday, 31st July 1917, age 20.
Buried in Grave III. C. 2. at Reninghelst New Military Cemetery, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

Royal Field Artillery, 298th Brigade, "C" Battery.
Formerly 711798 Royal Field Artillery.

Youngest son of John Henry and Nancy Sargent, of 5, Owen St., Tipton, Staffs.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: Tipton, Resident: Tipton.

First landed France & Flanders, post 31st December 1915.
Medal entitlement: British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Commemorated on the Tipton Library, and St. Matthew's memorials.
Commemorated here because he appears on a Tipton memorial.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/153033/

Genealogical Data

Birth of Arthur Victor Sargent registered March quarter 1897 in Dudley.

1901 Census
33 Aston Street, Tipton, Staffs.
John Henry Sargent (40, Stocktaker at Iron Works, born Tipton), his wife Nancy (41, born Darlaston), and their 6 children: James W. (18, School Teacher, born Tipton), Albert (16, Clerk, born Tipton), Samuel (13, Errand Boy, born Tipton), Dorothy (9, born Tipton), Mary Elizabeth (7, born Tipton), and Arthur V. (4, born Tipton).

1911 Census
18 Sedgley Road West, Tipton, Staffs.
John Henry Sargent (50, Pig Iron Weigher-in, born Tipton), his wife Nancy (51, born Darlaston), and 3 of their 6 surviving children of 11: Samuel (23, Pig Iron Weigher-in, born Tipton), Elizabeth (17, born Tipton), and Arthur Victor (14, Office Boy for G.W.R., born Tipton).

Personal Data

Arthur rests in esteemed company; he is buried next to Lt. Colonel Henry Murray Hope-Johnstone M.C., 12th Royal Fusiliers.

When Arthur's death was announced in the TIpton Herald in September 1917, his parents were living in Sedgley Road West. This was also their address in 1918 when Arthur's mother was awarded a Dependant's Pension. By the time the Imperial War Graves Commission began creating their records (in 1919 / 1920), Arthur's parents were living at 5 Owen Street.

After Arthur's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £3/3/10d (3 pounds, 3 shillings and 10 pence); this was paid to his mother and sole legatee, Nancy, in November 1917. His War Gratuity was £8/0/0d (8 pounds exactly), this was also paid to his mother in October 1919. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that Arthur had enlisted in approximately October 1915.

Arthur’s mother, Mrs Nancy Sargent then of 24 Sedgley Road West, Tipton, was awarded a Dependant’s Pension of 3/6d (3 shillings and 6 pence) per week, effective from 12th March 1918.

Action resulting in his death

298 Brigade RFA was originally a Howitzer Battery attached to the 59th (2nd North Midlands) Division. Before France they had served in Ireland during the Irish Rebellion. After arriving in France in March 1917, they became an Army Brigade attached at an Army level rather than at Corps or Divisional level. This meant that they could be allocated to tasks as required anywhere within that Army.

In early July 1917, 298 Brigade was transferred from 2nd Army to 5th Army (II Corps) and moved to a location near Dikkebus, 4.5 miles south-west of Ypres. On 19th July, 298 Brigade came under the tactical control of 24th Division for the impending 3rd Battle of Ypres. 298 Brigade moved to battle positions on 22nd/23rd July, with ‘C’ Battery located 0.5 miles north-west of Hill 60 (Map 28, reference I.28.d.40.50).

The 298 Brigade War Diary entry for 31st July simply says “Batteries fired barrages supporting the attack of 72nd Infantry Brigade.”

72nd Infantry Brigade was 1 of 3 Brigades in 24th Division, and consisted of 4 battalions: 1/North Staffs, 8/Queens, 9/East Surreys and 8/Royal West Kents. On 31st July, 72nd Infantry Brigade attacked the area just south of Shrewsbury Forest, about 3.5 miles south-east of Ypres. For detail of the attack by 1st North Staffs, see the action for Tipton man Thomas Groom who was killed that day with 1/North Staffs - click anywhere on this sentence to see his TiptonRemembers page.

Arthur is buried at Reninghelst New Military Cemetery, near Poperinge; this is about 7 miles west of the battle location of ‘C’ Battery. Although Arthur is recorded as killed in action, this distance from his battery’s location suggests that he was wounded and moved back to a medical facility and either died there or during the journey. Artillery positions were the target of counter-battery fire, and it is a possibility that this could have been the cause of his fatal wounds.

Newspaper Cuttings

Tipton Herald September 1st 1917
TIPTON SOLDIER KILLED IN FRANCE.
WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHOLAR.
We regret to announce that Private Arthur Victor Sargent, youngest son of Mr and Mrs J.H. Sargent, of Sedgley Road West, Tipton, was killed in action in France on July 31st 1917. He enlisted in the R.F.A. in October 1915, and was engaged in the Irish Rebellion, being sent to France about five months ago. His parents have received letters from comrades which show how popular he was in the Battery. The Chaplain who conducted the burial service also wrote to say that he had been buried with military honours.
Prior to enlisting, Private Sargent was employed in the offices at Messrs J & C Holcroft Ltd., Dudley Port, and was a scholar in Park Lane West Wesleyan Sunday School. Out of respect to the family, a memorial service was held in Dudley Port Wesleyan Chapel, where his father holds the office of society and chapel steward. The service was conducted by the Rev. D. Huddleston. Private Sargent was only 20 years of age. His eldest brother (as assistant master under the Tipton Education Committee) is serving with the colours in India, while another brother is in training.
also
Roll of Honour.
SARGENT.- Killed in action, July 31st, Arthur Victor, youngest son of J.H. & N. Sargent, Sedgley Road West, Tipton. Aged 20 years.
also
THANKS.
Mr and Mrs J.H. Sargent wish to thank their many friends for expressions of sympathy during their sad bereavement.

Tipton Herald August 3rd 1918
In Memoriam.
SARGENT - Gunner Arthur Victor Sargent of Tipton, killed in action in France July 31st 1917. Deeply mourned by his mother and father, brothers Will, Albert and Sam and sisters Dorothy and Lizzie. "Our loved one is not lost forever, he has only crossed the river before us."