christine liava'a Posted 9 February , 2004 Share Posted 9 February , 2004 Remembering Today- the correct version Rfn Arthur Edwin WAITE, 5844 2 Bn, Rifle Brigade who died on 09.02.16 Rue-du-Bois Military Cemetery, France Name: WAITE, ARTHUR EDWIN Initials: A E Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Rifleman Regiment: Rifle Brigade Unit Text: 2nd Bn. Age: 16 Date of Death: 09/02/1916 Service No: 5844 Additional information: Son of Sarah Dinmore (formerly Waite), of Railway Restaurant, Catford Bridge, Catford, London, and the late J. R. Waite. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: I. C. 30. Cemetery: RUE-DU-BOIS MILITARY CEMETERY, FLEURBAIX Cemetery: RUE-DU-BOIS MILITARY CEMETERY, FLEURBAIX Country: France Locality: Pas de Calais Location Information: The village of Fleurbaix is approximately 5 kilometres south-west of Armentieres and Rue-du-Bois Military Cemetery is 3 kilometres south-west of the village. The village was in Allied hands during the greater part of the war but it was captured by the Germans on 9 April 1918 after a very gallant defence by the 12th Suffolks. It remained within the German lines until the following September. The original Rue-du-Bois Cemetery, now comprising Plot I and Rows A and B of Plot II, was begun in November 1914 and used until December 1916. It was reopened in January 1918, and again in October. The majority of the graves were Australian, and Plot I, Row B, contained the graves of 27 soldiers of the 5th Australian Division who died in the Attack at Fromelles (19-20 July 1916). The cemetery was enlarged after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the surrounding battlefields and from certain small cemeteries. Rue-du-Bois Cemetery now contains 844 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 395 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to 13 casualties known or believed to be buried among them. There is also one German grave. The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker. No. of Identified Casualties: 450 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Lewis Posted 9 February , 2004 Share Posted 9 February , 2004 From SDGW Born-Deptford,Kent Enlisted-Woolwich,Kent Residence-Bexley Heath,Kent. Killed in Action F&F. 1901 Census- 29 Clyde Street Deptford London Father-Joseph R Waite 27,Engineers Fitter,born Cumberland Workington Mother-Sarah Waite 24,born Cumberland Cockermouth. Arthur is recorded as being 1 year old and has no brothers or sisters. Regards Doug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyjames Posted 9 February , 2004 Share Posted 9 February , 2004 Aged 16. Has'nt Richard van Emden of Testimony films been commissioned by Channel 4 to produce a documentary on underage boys who served in the Great War? If he is then young Arthur Waite's story should probably be included. Jimmy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christine liava'a Posted 9 February , 2004 Author Share Posted 9 February , 2004 Noting that young Arthur's father was dead, and his mother remarried, I wondered if his father had also been killed in the war, (he would have been in his 40s) but can't find any reference to a Joseph R Waite in CWGC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micksalter Posted 22 February , 2004 Share Posted 22 February , 2004 Arthur Edwin Waite was my uncle, I have some information about Arthur and his family. I also have some letters he sent from France, one 2 weeks before he was killed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christine liava'a Posted 22 February , 2004 Author Share Posted 22 February , 2004 Well, I think you are the first to have an actual relative remembered! Can you add any extra information? Did his father die in the war too? Were there other children after 1901? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micksalter Posted 24 February , 2004 Share Posted 24 February , 2004 My uncle Arthur, when he was killed in 1916 had one brother and two sisters and one 1/2 sister (my mother). His step father Frederick John Dinmore, as far as I can tell, spent the entire time in the war, very close to Arthur. I think this was the reason for Arthur wanting to join up and why he lied about his age, he wanted to join Fred. Arthurs father Joseph, died before the war (possibly cancer) and his step father died at the age of 48 from TB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micksalter Posted 2 February , 2005 Share Posted 2 February , 2005 My uncle Arthurs anniversary is coming up on the 9th of February. I thought I would let you all know that we have in the family, letters from the King etc, medals and even the form he signed where he lied about his age, stamped Attested. I am hoping to visit his grave sometime this year with my cousin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stiletto_33853 Posted 3 February , 2005 Share Posted 3 February , 2005 Mick, Just a little note for you on the 2nd in this time period in case it is of any use. The Regimental records state the following: January 196, Movements of Battalions The 2nd Battalion was training near Aire, until the second week of the month, when it returned to the line at Fleurbaix, remaining there in and out of the trenches until the end of March. "Beyond the usual sniping and patrol activity no event of importance happened." Unfortunately, I do not have this war dairy but in my experience with the RB's, prior to 1st July 1916 a lot of information on individuals is recorded in the war dairies. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micksalter Posted 9 February , 2005 Share Posted 9 February , 2005 Hi Andy Thanks for the info, where would I be able to see the war diaries? and what would I ask for, as I'm very low on detail etc. Regards Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stiletto_33853 Posted 9 February , 2005 Share Posted 9 February , 2005 Mick, The war Dairies are available at the National Arhive, Kew under the WO95 series. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micksalter Posted 7 February , 2006 Share Posted 7 February , 2006 It will soon be time to remember Arthur again (9th) after another year. I am hoping to visit his grave this year. Unfortunately I was too late to get Arthur mentioned in Richards film or book. Last year seemed to flash by, I never even got to go to Kew to look in the war diaries, I'm going to make an effort this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micksalter Posted 9 February , 2006 Share Posted 9 February , 2006 Today's the day to remember Arthur Waite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victoria Burbidge Posted 20 July , 2006 Share Posted 20 July , 2006 Hi Mick, The 2/Rifle Brigade is my area of interest and I shall be out in the Fromelles area for a few days from this weekend. I wondered if you had managed to get a photo of Arthur's grave? If not, let me know by Saturday morning and I'll happily see to that for you (not quite the same as visiting there yourself, I know). V. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micksalter Posted 21 July , 2006 Share Posted 21 July , 2006 Hi Mick, The 2/Rifle Brigade is my area of interest and I shall be out in the Fromelles area for a few days from this weekend. I wondered if you had managed to get a photo of Arthur's grave? If not, let me know by Saturday morning and I'll happily see to that for you (not quite the same as visiting there yourself, I know). V. Yes please, incoming Email. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micksalter Posted 17 October , 2006 Share Posted 17 October , 2006 Just for the record, I would like to thank Victoria Burbridge for all her kindness and help she has given me in my efforts in finding out about Arthur Waite. Through Victoria's efforts, Arthur may even be remembered in a museum in France. Many thanks V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victoria Burbidge Posted 17 October , 2006 Share Posted 17 October , 2006 Mick, Thank you for your kind words, but as I said before, it was an absolute pleasure to be of assistance and I thank you for sharing with me the photographs and documents and, in particular, Arthur’s letters. Together these will make a wonderful exhibit for the museum in Fromelles. V. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micksalter Posted 8 February , 2007 Share Posted 8 February , 2007 Its Arthurs anniversary tomorrow, can't wait for his display in the french museum, so I can go and visit. Arthur RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micksalter Posted 9 February , 2008 Share Posted 9 February , 2008 Another year has gone by and today we remember the loss of Arthur Waite. Arthur Waite. aged 16. RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micksalter Posted 11 May , 2008 Share Posted 11 May , 2008 Yesterday, I managed to visit Arthurs grave and the area in which he was killed. This would not have been possible without the help of Victoria and Martial, thank guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micksalter Posted 8 February , 2009 Share Posted 8 February , 2009 Tomorrow, is Arthur's anniversary, another year has flown by. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stiletto_33853 Posted 8 February , 2009 Share Posted 8 February , 2009 Hi Mick, Will be thinking of Arthur tomorrow. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micksalter Posted 9 February , 2009 Share Posted 9 February , 2009 Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micksalter Posted 9 February , 2009 Share Posted 9 February , 2009 Arthur Waite - Eternally 16 Rest in Peace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBrockway Posted 9 February , 2009 Share Posted 9 February , 2009 Not forgotten. Cheers, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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