Our People - Arthur Claud Middleton |
7 June 1915 |
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2nd Lieutenant Arthur Claud Middleton
1st/8th Battalion (Territorials), Lancashire Fusiliers 125th Brigade, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division Died 7 June 1915, Age 27 Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Turkey. Plot A.14. Son of Arthur Thomas and Madge Middleton, of "The Beeches," Ashton Bank, Preston. Of Leyland, Preston. Arthur Claud Middleton was born at Adlington on 12 April 1888 to Arthur Thomas (born Liverpool) and Margaret (Madge) Middleton (born Timperley). He was the eldest of three sons, the others were Eric Rycroft born c. April 1892 and John Archibald born c. July 1893. The family moved around, living at Rivington Lodge, Dryfield Lane, near Horwich in 1891, then 4 Seafield Road, Lytham St.Annes in 1901. By 1911, they were at Thring Holme, Lostock near Bolton. By the time of Arthur's death, they were at Beechfield, Leyland.
He was employed at Springfield Mill, Babylon Lane, Adlington. The mill was once owned and operated by the Middleton family. They had a number of residences in relative proximity to the mill including Springfield House, Appenzell and Newlands (Appenzell is now a hotel). The workers had cottages in Factory Lane while a number of the junior management lived in accommodation at Springfield Terrace. The factory was one of the main sources of employment for local people. Arthur's military service is covered by the two extracts from books reproduced below. Arthur died 7 June 1915, in all probability in the Turkish counter offensives after the Third Battle of Krithia. His grave is close by that of his Commanding Officer, James Albert Fallows of ‘Minden,’ Moss Lane, Leyland, who lies in grave A 9. In the Will Index held by Lancashire Record Office administration was granted in London to his father Arthur Thomas Middleton, Manufacturer. Effects £1,184 11s 0d. As well as two memorials in the South Ribble area, he is remembered on the Adlington War Memorial and on the family headstone at Leyland, St,Andrews Churchyard. The inscription as follows: ARTHUR CLAUD MIDDLETON 2nd Lt. 8th Lanc. Fus. WHO GAVE HIS LIFE TO HIS COUNTRY June 7th, 1915 IN GALLIPOLI WHERE HE NOW LIES AGED 27 YEARS. The Bond of Sacrifice; A Biographical Record of all British Officers who fell in the Great War.
2nd Lieutenant Arthur Claud Middleton, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Middleton of Adlington and Beechfield, Leyland, was born at Adlington, on the 12th April, 1888. He received his early education at the Rivington and Blackrod Grammar School, and was afterwards a student at the Old College, Windermere. After twelve months' study in Germany he took the three years' course at the Manchester School of Technology, obtaining his degree of B.A. (Tech.). In 1907 he joined the firm of Messrs. T. Middleton and Co., coloured cotton goods manufacturers, Springfield Mill, Adlington. At one time he was a member of the Bolton Rugby Union Football Club, and played in the team until the club was disbanded. He was, too, at that time actively associated with the work of St. John's Mission, Lostock, where he taught a class of boys. On the outbreak of the Great War Mr. Middleton applied for a commission, and in August, 1914, was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the 8th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. He made rapid progress with his military studies, though he had no previous training, and when stationed in Egypt with his battalion he took up scouting work with a detachment of Gurkhas. When his battalion proceeded to Gallipoli Peninsula, 2nd Lieutenant Middleton was appointed Scout Officer for the battalion, and was congratulated by the General Officer Commanding the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force for the excellence of his work in this direction. It was while engaged in these hazardous duties that he was mortally wounded on the 6th June, 1915, dying the following day. Of a genial, warm-hearted disposition, 2nd Lieutenant Middleton was very popular with his brother officers and the men of his battalion. The Lancashire Fusiliers Annual 1919-20 Number XXIX
LIEUTENANT A. C. MIDDLETON. Arthur Claud Middleton was the eldest son of Mr. A. T. Middleton, of Adlington and Beechfield, Leyland. He was educated at Blackrod and Rivington Grammar School, and afterwards at Old College, Windermere. Subsequently he studied for a year in Germany, and completed his education by a three years course at the Manchester School of Technology, obtaining the B.A. degree (Tech). As would be expected, he then (1907) joined the family firm of Messrs T. Middleton and Co., coloured cotton manufacturers, and there continued to do excellent work, both in the mill, and in mission work among boys at Lostock. Socially, he made many friends, by whom his memory is warmly cherished.
When war was declared Arthur Middleton at once offered his services, and was given a commission in the 8th Battalion. He had no previous military training, but the call of his King and Country would not be made in vain in one of his temperament. With his Battalion he went to Egypt, and was selected for a course of scout duty with those famous Nepaulese tribesmen, the Ghurkas. At the Dardanelles he was still Scout Officer, and the late Lieut. Colonel J. A. Fallows mentioned how well he carried out his dangerous service in “No Mans Land.” On another occasion he brought in 2nd Lieut. W. V. Boydell, who was badly wounded, and died. Lieut. Middleton was wounded on June 7th, and he died on the following day, when in his 27th year. The knowledge of the work which he did, and the good opinion of his brother officers, will ever be a consolation to his family and his many friends. They also have this that he stands among the immortal band: “The unforgotten that for a great dream died.” In addition there were many reports in the local newspapers:
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Arthur Claud Middleton
Image from The Bond of Sacrifice 
WE Waring Original Research
Note: In his research WE Waring states that Arthur died during the 3rd Battle of Krythia. This is not correct - he died in the Turkish counter offensives after the 3rd Battle of Krythia. | ||||