Arthur MOULE

09 November 1917

MOULE – November 1st 1917, died from injuries received in action on the Western Front, Lance-Corporal Arthur Moule, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Moule, 9, Beech Street, Steeton, aged 19 years.

09 November 1917

STEETON SOLDIER’S DEATH

On Tuesday morning, Mr. and Mrs. H. Moule, 9, Beech Street, Steeton, received the sad news that their son, Lance-Corporal Arthur Moule, had died in a clearing station in France on November 1st from injuries received (presumably in the trenches) by a fall of sandbags. The deceased soldier was in his 20th year. He joined up in April 1916, and went to France in April of the present year, taking part soon after in some strenuous and severe fighting. Lance-Corporal Moule was, previous to enlisting, in the employ of Messrs. John Dixon and Sons, Steeton, and was of a cheerful disposition.

Information of the deceased’s condition was first conveyed in a letter from the chaplain, who said:– “It seems that some sandbags fell upon him a couple of days ago and injured his back. He was brought into this hospital and placed on a waterbed and made as comfortable as possible, but he is in great discomfort. I think that his recovery is doubtful, and in any case must be a long business. I am sorry, very sorry, to have to send home such news, but it is best to say plainly the truth so far as I know it. Will you see that his name is put on the intercession list at your Church? Arthur received Holy Communion this morning and I said prayers with him tonight. May God uphold you and him. Yours truly, M. A. BERE, Chaplain.”

Writing from the same hospital, the sister-in-charge, N. Dalrymple, in a letter to Mrs. Moule, said:– “I deeply regret to tell you that your son, Lance-Corporal Arthur Moule, Duke of Wellington’s, is lying seriously ill in this station with injury to his back. I told Corporal Moule that I was writing you and asked him for a message. He sent his love and said you were not to worry, that he was comfortable and going on all right. I hope it may comfort you a little to know that your son is having the best attention that medical skill and careful nursing can devise, and rest assured that we will do everything in our power to help him in every way. At the same time we can hold out very little hope of his recovery.”

In an enclosed letter the sad news was conveyed:– “I deeply regret to inform you that Lance-Corporal Moule died last night in this station at 11-40 (November 1st), as the result of his injuries. I wrote to you yesterday to tell you that he was seriously ill, and there is little to add. Your son bore his trouble like a hero, and was buried today in the cemetery near this station set apart for our soldiers. With deepest sympathy, yours faithfully, N. DALRYMPLE.”