Corporal Arthur Wentworth Tichbourne 802004 born 27 March 1896 in Toronto. William Henry (father) and Ida May (mother) resided at 71 Stanley St., London, Ontario (later 229 Richmond Street).
Service of Arthur Wentworth Tichbourne
Attested 22 November 1915 in London, Ontario. Private Tichbourne stood 5’9″ tall, with fair complexion, blue eyes and fair hair. He was a Baptist. Private Tichbourne first enlisted with the 135th Battalion, CEF.
Then, Corporal Tichbourne transferred to the 125th Battalion, 15 October 1916.
England
The 135th Battalion sailed from Halifax 22 August 1916, aboard R.M.S. ADRIATIC, the same day Arthur promoted Sergeant. 11th Canadian Field Ambulance also aboard R.M.S. ADRIATIC.
With the ADRIATIC sailed her sister ship, the BALTIC and the grimy-looking EMPRESS OF BRITAIN, each vessel crammed with troops. The BALTIC followed the DRAKE and the EMPRESS ploughed her way in the wake of the ADRIATIC. Life onboard the latter boat was far from unpleasant.
The pond was never really rough and the weather permitted deck life throughout the voyage. P. T. [Physical Training] and life-boat drill constituted the routine duties and, in addition, the running of the hospital fell to the 11th Canadian Field Ambulance.
Arrived at Liverpool 30 August 1916. Sergeant Tichbourne transferred to 12th Reserve Battalion, Witley, 15 October 1916.
Sergeant Tichbourne transferred to the 18th Battalion 28 February 1917.
18th Battalion
Organized in October 1914 initially under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel E S Wigle. Mobilized at London, Ontario and also recruited in London, Windsor, Woodstock, Chatham, St Thomas, Strathroy, Stratford, Galt, Guelph, Walkerville and Goderich. Draft of 1 soldier and 20 other ranks sent to England 6 April 1915. Embarked from Halifax 18 April 1915 aboard GRAMPIAN, and later disembarked England 28 April 1915 with a strength of 36 officers, 1081 other ranks. Disembarked in France 15 September 1915 with the 2nd Canadian Division, 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade and later reinforced by 4th Canadian Reserve Battalion.
France
Sergeant Tichbourne reverts to A/Cpl at own request to proceed overseas, 28 February 1918. One of 91 O/R to reinforce the 18th Battalion in the field, 15 March 1918 at Le Pendu (bois des Alleux). Battalion moved by bus to Stewart Camp (A.2.7.c) near Roclincourt. Then, marched to Bailleulval (14 1/2 miles) on 26 March 1918.
The 18th Canadian Infantry Battalion relieved the 3rd Imperial Division in the front line at Neuville-Vitasse on 29 March 1918.
Relieved 21st Battalion in the front line on 2 April 1918. On 1 May 1918, the 18th Battalion in reserve at Brétencourt. Then, to Sunken Road, S.5.c.25.25 on 3 May 1918. A, B, & D companies in the front line. Battalion HQ at S.11.a.60.35.
Corporal Arthur Wentworth Tichbourne Killed in Action
Desultory shelling by the enemy claims two lives in the 18th Battalion on 26 May 1918 near Wailly.
Corporal Arthur Wentworth Tichbourne and Private Hugh Robertson Wilson Killed in Action. Arthur Wentworth Tichbourne buried at Wailly Orchard Cemetery, Plot II, Row G, Grave 9.
Private Hugh Roberts Wilson buried at Wailly Orchard Cemetery, Plot II, Row G, Grave 10. Son of Isabella Wilson, of 13, Portland St. Coatbridge, Scotland, and the late Archibald Wilson.
The dead man’s penny found at an antique store in Georgia by Scott Edward Bobeck, USAAF.
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