Arthur, H
(1876 - 1918)
Key Facts
DATE OF BIRTH:
27th May 1876
YEARS ATTENDED THE COLLEGE:
1890 - 1894
REGIMENT
Chinese Labour Corps
FINAL RANK:
Lieutenant
DATE OF DEATH:
21st May 1918
AGE AT DEATH:
41
WHERE HE DIED (or was wounded)
Calais
LOCATION OF GRAVE OR MEMORIAL:
Lapugnoy Military Cemetery. IX E 11
Lieutenant Hugh Arthur
Hugh was born May 27th 1876, the 2nd son of W.M.B. Arthur, who was at the time working in Hong Kong. He began his education there before, in 1890, coming to Dulwich as a boarder in Ivyholme. He was a prominent sportsman whilst at Dulwich, spending two years in the 1st XI, for whom he kept wicket, and three years in the Gymnastics VI, the last of them as president; he also won both the high and long jumps in his final year. From Dulwich he returned to Hong Kong, joining the firm of Jardine, Matheson & Co., before going on to Formosa (modern-day Taiwan) and finally, in 1908, Vancouver.
He signed up with the Canadian Expeditionary Force and after arrival in England took a commission in the 11th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers. A short time later he transferred to the Machine Gun Corps, with whom he not only served on the Somme, but also was awarded the M.C. In May 1917 he transferred to the Chinese Labour Corps with whom he served as an interpreter. On May 21st 1918 he was killed by a shell whilst attempting to rescue one of his colleagues. He was survived by his widow and one son.
