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Arthur Harold Cant |
Page updated - 17 March 2009 |
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Click photo for larger image Private Arthur Harold Cant Arthur Harold Cant 42332 2nd/7th Battalion Manchester Regiment.
Arthur Cant was born in Great Cornard around 1898. He was the son of William and Polly Mary Cant. Before Arthur was born the family were living in Vicarage Lane, Great Cornard, by 1901 they had moved to Bures Road. The family of 7 later moved to Phillips Field.
Arthur was known by his nickname ‘Tubby’. His father was employed as a brick maker at Grimwoods brickyard and the family regularly attended Chapel in Bures Road.
The 2nd/7th Battalion was part of the 66th Division. In 1917 the battalion took part in operations on the Flanders Coast between 26th June and 25th September.
Arthur was killed in action on 2nd August 1917 aged 19. There is no known grave and he is remembered on Nieuport Memorial, Belgium. The Nieuport Memorial bears the names of 547 casualties who have no known grave. The majority of these casualties were lost between June and November 1917.
On the anniversary of his death in 1918 his father placed the following in the Suffolk and Essex Free Press in his memory:
A loving son and brother true and kind, Who always thought of us; And as long as life and memory lasts, Will always think of thee. Friends may think that we forget you, When at times they see us smile; But they little know the sorrow, Which that smile hides all the while. We think of him in silence And his name we oft recall; But there is nothing left to answer. But the photo on the wall.
From his sorrowing father, sister and brothers. “Gone but not forgotten”
Arthur was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal and is also remembered on the Trinity Congregational Church Memorial, now situated in the United Reformed Church, School Street, Sudbury.
Photo - Courtesy of Mrs. V. Moulton ©Shirley Smith - Sudbury & District Royal British Legion - November 2008 |
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