Arthur Hepworth 1890-1916

Arthur Hepworth Barnsley Chronicle 17 June 1916
(thanks to Barnsley Archives)

Born:
12th February 1890
Baptised 12th March 1890 at St. Mary’s Church, Barnsley.

Son of:
John Hepworth b.1863 Barnsley d. 1927 Barnsley
1911:  9, Court 4, Church Street,  Barnsley. Stonemason’s labourer for Corporation.
Married at St. Mary’s Church, Barnsley on 29th December 1883.
Miriam Annie (maiden name Carbutt) b. 1862 in Rotherham  d. 1945 in Barnsley

Position in family:  The fourth child of six
Frances Ann     b. 1884   d. 1955
George Henry  b. 1886   d. 1968
Elizabeth          b. 1887    d. 1962
Arthur               b. 1890    d. 1916  WW1 DIED
Ernest               b. 1892    d. 1977
Jeanette           b. 1898    d. 1969

Home address, age and occupation
1891:  9, Court 4, Church Street, Barnsley,   age 1
1901:  9, Court 4, Church Street, Barnsley,   age 11  Schoolboy
1911:  9, Court 4, Church Street, Barnsley,   age 21  Coal leader
1914:  9, Court 4, Church Street, Barnsley,   age 24  worked for F.C. Browne

Marriage: 
Arthur was unmarried.  No children

Military Service:
Enlisted:  28th September 1914 aged 24 at Public Hall
Regiment and Battalion: 13th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment, ‘Barnsley Pals’
Service number and rank: 13/505 Private
Training camps 24th September 1914 – 27th December 1915 at Silkstone, Rugeley, Ripon and Salisbury. 
10th to 30th October 1915 in Fovant Hospital, Wiltshire with pleurisy.
28th December 1915 to 10th March 1916, Egypt
11th March to 4th June 1916 France and Flanders (wounded 27th May 1916)
Awards:  British War Medal, Victory Medal

Personal Information:  5 ft 6 ins. Tall, chest 34 ins. Weight, 129 lbs, brown eyes, fresh complexion, black hair
Religion: Church of England

Death:  4th June 1916
Buried:  Beauval Community Cemetery, France
Beauval was the 4th Casualty Station from June 1915 to October 1916
Grave reference:  E 32

Information from Commonwealth War Graves:
Son of Mrs. Miriam A. Hepworth, of 4, Cass Yard, St Mary’s Place, Barnsley

Remembered:
Barnsley, St. Mary’s Church, Combined Memorial
 

Panel on St Mary's Memorial showing Barnsley Battalion names

Arthur's name on the War Memorial in St Mary's Church (photo by ML)

Notes:
Arthur’s death was reported in the Barnsley Chronicle on 17th June 1916.

First Barnsley Battalion Lad - Dies in Hospital from Wounds
Yesterday information came to hand that Private A. Hepworth, of the 13th Y and L Regiment, has died in hospital from would received in action.  He was 26 years of age and the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hepworth, of 4, Cass's Yard, Barnsley.  Before joining the Battalion he worked at Mr. F.C. Browne's works.

The Rev. T. B. W. Denison, Chaplain, wrote to the sorrowing parents: "It is with deep regret that I have to report that your son of whose serious wounds I have told you died in hospital this morning (June 4th).  He had been slowly sinking for the last two days and in spite of everything possible having been done for him he passed peacefully away in the early hours this morning.  I shall bury him this afternoon in the cemetery where he will be with many of his comrades.  May he rest in peace, and my God comfort and console you in your sad bereavement."

 Arthur’s death also mentioned in an article in Barnsley Pals by John Cooksey
The eye witness account does not match his Active service record which states that he died from wounds after being injured on the battle field.
A photo is included – identical to the one in the Chronicle.

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This story was sent into the Barnsley War Memorials Project by ML who visited Barnsley in 2015 to research Arthur in Barnsley Archives.  We were able to help her find Arthur in the digitised Barnsley Chronicle and showed her his name on our listings of Barnsley War Memorials.  ML then visited St Mary's Church to take her own photos of the memorial.   We are very grateful for the thorough and complete account she submitted to us.  Thank you!