Arthur New

Story:
Arthur New was born in 1877 in Sixpenny Handley and baptised there on 26th August, 1877. He was the son of Esan New, a Traction Engine Driver and Ann New (née Sanger). His siblings included Tom New, born in 1895, who also died in the war. The family lived at Vale Farm, Sutton Waldron, Dorset. On 23rd December, 1907, Arthur married Margaret Ethel Hill at St. Giles Church, Uley, Stroud, Gloucestershire. They had four children: 3 girls and a boy. At the time of the 1911 Census he was working as a Traction Engine Driver and living at Dean End, Woodcutts, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset. His mother died in 1911 and his father in 1913. Arthur had enlisted on 9th March, 1899 and served with the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 3987) and then the Royal Engineers. He was discharged from that engagement on 16th June, 1906, and placed on reserve. He was recalled to duty on 21st November 1914 and, after a short spell with the Royal Garrison Artillery, transferred as a Sapper to the Royal Engineers (Service No. 12918). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals. He was killed in action whilst serving with the 12th Field Company on 23rd March 1915 and was buried at Houplines Communal Cemetery Extension, Armentieres, France (grave id. III.C.15). He is remembered on the Sixpenny Handley War Memorial. His wife Margaret remarried, to Joseph Rideout on 2nd August, 1919.