Main CPGW Record
Surname: DUCKWORTH
Forename(s): Arthur William
Place of Birth: Blackburn, Lancashire
Service No: 20002
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 'D' Coy 9th (Service) Battalion
Division: 17th (Northern) Division
Age: 25
Date of Death: 1917-04-25
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Bay 6.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: EARBY, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Arthur William Duckworth (born 9 December 1891) was the son of William and Alice Duckworth, née Darbyshire. William was born at Billington and Alice at Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire.
1901 Blackburn, Lancashire Census: 25, Lower Hollin Bank Street - Arthur Duckworth, aged 9 years, born Blackburn, nephew of Thomas and Jane Duckworth.
1911 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: 7, Foresters Buildings - Aurther [sic] Duckworth, aged 19 years, born Blackburn, Lancashire. [Arthur was lodging with Annie Wilding the sister of Private James Pitchford (267805) (q.v.).]
Arthur was married to Maggie Taylor in 1913. Maggie’s sister, Annie, was married to Private Edgar Kay (38807) (q.v.).
The British Army Service Record for Arthur William Duckworth exists but may be incomplete.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Arthur W. Duckworth, 20002, W. Rid. R. Pres. Dead 25.4.17.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Arthur William Duckworth, 20002, 9th W. Rid. R. Pres. Dead 25.4.17.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Arthur William Duckworth, 20002, 9 W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: 25.4.17. Death pres. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow - Maggie. £3 13s. 2d. Self and child. War Gratuity: Widow - Maggie. £3 10s. 0d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Arthur. Name(s) on card(s): Widow: Maggie, born 5.2.95. Address 1. 129, Gladstone Terrace, Earby, Nr Colne. Address 2. 1, Riverside Terrace, Earby, Nr Colne. Children: Irene, born 24.7.15.
In 1921 Maggie and Irene were living at 2, Riverside Terrace, Earby. In 1939 they were living at 18 Brook Street, Earby. Maggie died in 1985 and Irene in 2000.
Photograph courtesy of Daniel Jones.
See also:
‘Earby in the First World War’ by Stephanie Carter, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2014).
‘Our Finest Crop’ by Steven Marshall, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2020).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
DUCKWORTH, Arthur William, aged 25, West Riding Regiment, formerly of Earby, reported missing April 1917, now presumed dead.
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Private Arthur William DUCKWORTH
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 17th (Northern) Division
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View Additional Image(s)
Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Private Arthur William Duckworth
Courtesy of Daniel Jones
Postcard from Private Arthur William Duckworth to his daughter Irene
Courtesy of Daniel Jones
Reverse of above postcard
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
01 June 1917
EARBY – MISSING
Private Arthur Duckworth, Duke of Wellington’s, has been officially reported missing since April 25th, after being eleven months in France. He was a weaver employed by the Oaks Manufacturing Company, Brook Shed, and his wife resides at 2, Riverside Terrace, Earby.
19 October 1917
EARBY – THE BRAVE LADS WHO NEVER RETURNED
Mrs. Arthur Duckworth, 1, Riverside Terrace, Earby, has received the following letter from the British Red Cross in reply to enquiries about her husband, Private A. Duckworth, West Riding Regiment, reported missing on April 25th:– “We have been endeavouring for some time to obtain information with regard to your husband, and today have received our first report, but I am sorry to say it does not give a very hopeful account of what occurred on April 25th. Our informant, Sergt. Frederick Fletcher of the same regiment and company (now in Harborne Hall V.A.D. Hospital Birmingham), states:– “Pte. Duckworth was known to me as being in my ‘D’ Company, 14 Platoon, and I identify him by his number. We all went over with the first wave of attack at Bullecourt in the early morning of April 25th about 4 a.m. All the men in my Battalion, company and platoon were badly cut up that day by machine gun fire. No men were captured, but our losses were terrible. I cannot say definitely what happened to this man after I saw him last, nor do I think under the circumstances anyone can say more than that he went out and was subjected to sweeping gun fire and never returned. I did not leave my unit until the 31st August 1917.”
“We are continuing our enquiries on your behalf and will forward you any information directly we receive it. Please accept our very sincere sympathy in your anxiety.
“Yours faithfully, J. HOWARD (for the Earl of Lucan).”
Two other Earby soldiers: Private White and Private Laycock – belonging the same Company, were reported missing at the same time.
01 March 1918
DUCKWORTH – Missing since April, 1917, and death now officially presumed, Private Arthur Wm. Duckworth, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, formerly of Earby, aged 25 years.
01 March 1918
EARBY SOLDIER’S DEATH PRESUMED
After being reported missing since April 25th, 1917, the Army Council have now presumed the death of Private Arthur William Duckworth, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, as having been killed in action on the above date in France. Deceased, who was 25 years of age, leaves a wife and one child living at 1 Riverside Terrace, Earby. He had been at the Front eleven months, and prior to enlisting was a weaver employed by the Oaks Manufacturing Company, New Road Shed, Earby.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
12 October 1917
EARBY MEN MISSING
Mrs. Arthur Duckworth, 1, Riverside Terrace, Earby, has received the following letter from the British Red Cross in reply to enquiries about her husband, Private A. Duckworth, of the West Riding Regiment, reported missing on April 25th:– “We have been endeavouring for some time to obtain information with regard to your husband and today have received our first report, but I am sorry to say it does not give a very hopeful account of what occurred on April 25th. Our informant, Sergeant Frederick Fletcher, of the same regiment and company (now is Harborne Hall V.A.D. Hospital, Birmingham), states:– “Private Duckworth was known to me as being in my ‘D’ company, 14th platoon, and I identify him by his number. We all went over in the first wave of attack at Bullecourt in the early morning of April 25th about 4 a.m. All the men in my battalion, company and platoon were badly cut up that day by machine gun fire. No men were captured, but our losses were terrible. I cannot say definitely what happened to this man after I saw him last, nor do I think under the circumstances anyone can say more than that he went out and was subjected to sweeping gunfire and never returned. I did not leave my unit until the 31st August, 1917.” We are continuing our enquiries on your behalf and will forward you any information directly we receive it. Please accept our very sincere sympathy in your anxiety. – Yours faithfully, J. Howard (for the Earl of Lucas).”
Two other Earby soldiers – Private White and Private Laycock – belonging to the same company, were reported missing at the same time.
01 March 1918
DUCKWORTH – Reported missing since April 25th, 1917, now presumed killed, Pte. Arthur Wm. Duckworth, of the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, husband of Mrs. Duckworth, of Riverside Terrace, Earby, aged 25.
01 March 1918
EARBY SOLDIER’S DEATH PRESUMED
After being reported missing since April 25th, 1917, the Army Council have now presumed the death of Pte. Arthur Wm. Duckworth, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, as having been killed in action on the above date in France. Deceased, who was 25 years of age, leaves a wife and one child living at 1, Riverside Terrace, Earby. He had been at the front eleven months, and prior to enlisting was a weaver employed by the Oaks Manufacturing Company, New Road Shed, Earby.
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I am very proud that he was my Great Great Great Uncle who made the ultimate sacrifice. In order for his relations and all inhabitants of this country can live in peace and harmony.
My mother and I attend the Earby memorial on the 11th November each year to remember the sacrifice of our uncle and of all those other soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice, including Edgar Kay who was related to Arthur.
We still have Arthur’s postcards home to Maggie and Irene and his other personal effects such as his walking cane and a birthday card to Irene for her first birthday (as well as the original CPGW Book!). Having known Irene (a wonderful person) it was incredibly fortunate we were able to continue his memory and we use these items in my children’s work on remembrance at school. My son is also named after him to continue his memory.
I made a trip to the field in France where Arthur was killed exactly 100 years to the second and laid a wreath for him and the other men of D Company. Truly emotional and poignant.
We must ensure we protect the memory of these brave men as we continue to move through the generations.
Thank you to CPGW.org.uk – your research and work is absolutely fantastic and has been a critical part of my research into Arthur’s pre war life and his service.