First World War Project
Arthur Richard MEDGETT (of Newnham)
b. Q4, 1889/chr. 19th January 1890; Private, Service Number L/8362 |
Arthur Medgett's name appears on the Newnham and Doddington Memorial as "Midgett". Newnham church records adopted this spelling too. This misspelling may arise from Arthur Medgett not being a 'local' man, in the sense of any local family ties. His given death date is recorded 'on or since' - a common formula that should be checked against War Diaries but it is usually accurate.
Arthur was born into a large agricultural labouring family of 12 children to parents, William and Mary Ann (née Harlow). Seven brothers (William T, James Robert, Walter H, Robert, Sydney, Albert and Charles) and five sisters (Fanny Elizabeth, Grace Mary, Edith and Kathleen). The family is most closely associated with farming around Arthur's birthplace, Goodnestone-next-Wingham, east of Canterbury. So, we are left to speculate that Arthur was following a work opportunity in Newnham or links through his family?
Arthur first joined the Buffs around 16th October 1906 when he was first examined. He was serving in Dublin on 20th March 1912 according to his Medical Sheet. He then appears as re-enlisted on 7th September 1914. As an established career soldier, he would be called up at the outbreak of War.
His medical sheet describes Arthur as 18½ years; labourer; height 5 feet 7½ inches; 193½ lbs (unclear); physical development "good"; chest measurements - 32½" min, 35" max.
We can be sure that five brothers from this one family were serving overseas. This devotion to duty was recorded locally.
| The Dover Express of 27th November 1914 (Dover Express) |
| "GOODNESTONE. FIVE SONS IN THE FORCES.- Mr W. [William] Medgett, of Claypits, Goodnestone, who has five sons serving the King, has received the following letter:- "Privy Purse Office, Buckingham Palace, 7th November 1914. Sir – I have the honour to inform you that the King has heard with much interest that you have at the present moment five sons serving in His Majesty's Forces. I am commanded to express to you the King's Congratulations, and to assure you that His Majesty much appreciates the spirit of patriotism which prompted this example in one family of loyalty and devotion to their Sovereign and Empire.- I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient Servant, Keeper of the Privy Purse." |
His younger brother, Albert, is recorded as having enlisted in the East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) on 1st June 1915 at Canterbury. So, it looks as though six brothers may have joined up from this one family as Albert joined after the date of the newspaper report. Albert achieved the rank of Sergeant and was briefly hospitalised (reported 22nd April 1916) before returning to the Front where he was awarded the Military Medal (Gazetted 14th January, reported 19th January 1918 in the Kent Messenger).
Arthur's War Gratuity of £5 confirms his re-enlistment at the outbreak of the war. His total "Personal Effects" amounted to £10 14s. 3d. which went to his father, William, as sole beneficiary.
Arthur was posthumously awarded the 1914 Star (with clasp), the British War and Victory medals.
Circumstances of the death of Private Arthur Richard Medgett
Without any surviving military records for this man (apart from his Medal Card) the public record doesn't help explain the Newnham connection. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records tell us that Arthur served in the 1st Battalion East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) in "B" Company. So, we have to turn to the Battalion War Diary to learn a bit about his short experience on the Western Front at a critical time for the Allies. The War Diaries help us understand the circumstances of his death.
Arthur Medgett was killed during a day when the Buffs were barely holding onto their front-line position near the town of RADINGHEM, Belgium [Radinghem is mentioned in Despatches]. The 1st Battalion found itself taking part in the frantic and fluid "Race to the Sea". Both German and Allied forces rushed to avoid being outflanked to the north of the active front to the south, where the German Army had pushed towards Paris only to find the French Army was a hard nut to crack and the Belgians had put up a considerable fight on their own territory.
On 19th October, The Buffs relieved the York and Lancaster Regiment. Their task was to hold the line astride the RADINGHEM - BEAUCHAMPS road about CHATEAU DE FLANDRES - BAS CHAMPS railway (M29). Arthur's "B" Company was positioned on the left side of the road, while "D" Company took the right side, with "C" Company thrown back of "B" Company's left.
At 7.40am, 20th October, all hell broke loose.
| As the Battalion War Diary records: |
| 7.40 am: Enemy's artillery opened very heavy fire on our trenches, their guns keeping it up most of the day. About 11.00am Colonel Harter [?Marten?Harler?] commanding front line was wounded, about 2pm the enemy attacked very vigorously on our front, right and left. 21st October |
The phrase "presumed killed on 20th September" suggests he was initially counted amongst the 62 "missing" in the diary entry for the following day.
Arthur's name is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial at Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium. There is a small difference between his biological and his official age - such inaccuracies are not uncommon.
At home, he is also remembered on the Goodnestone War Memorial (erected September 1921) from which it appears none of Arthur's brothers died during the First World War.
The Goodnestone War Memorial
Reported in the Dover Express, 9th September 1921 -
"MEMORIAL TABLET DEDICATED AT GOODNESTONE. - On Sunday evening last week a memorial tablet of marble and alabaster, recording the names of the sixteen men of Goodnestone who fell in the war, was unveiled and dedicated in Goodnestone Parish Church. It is placed on the south wall of the Church, near the pulpit. Lieut. Colonel R. T. J. Friend, D.S.O. (The Buffs) unveiled the tablet. An address followed, given by the archdeacon of Dudley, the Venerable S. R. James, C.B.E., V.D., Canon of Worcester Cathedral. The wreaths placed before the memorial tablet included on "In memory of our comrades, from the ex-Servicemen of Goodnestone," and another "In grateful remembrance, from the members of the Parochial Church Council." - the full list of men, their rank and the Service they served in, is followed by the inscription: "'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.' - St. John xv., 13."
Family of Arthur Richard Medgett
Click on small image (above) to view the larger image.
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