Arthur Bramham

War Service

Arthur enlisted at Pontefract on 9 July 1916 – he was just 18 years and 78 days old. Prior to his enlistment Arthur had been employed at Pope and Pearson’s colliery in Altofts as a locomotive fireman. Steam engines were used extensively on the colliery surface, marshalling coal wagons into appropriate order ready for collection by the railway company. Recruits with particular skills gained in civilian life were often utilised for the benefit of the armed forces. Likewise, Arthur joined the Royal Engineers (Railway Operating Division). After army basic training, Arthur’s battalion moved to France arriving on 9 November 1916.
The railway played an important role throughout the war transporting men and materials from the channel ports towards the front lines, returning with ambulance trains carrying the sick and injured.
Not all the men who enlisted to fight for King and Country lost their life by enemy action. Sadly, Arthur was one of those accidentally killed. Arthur and George Batty, a soldier from Hull, when found, were both lying dead on the Calais to Boulogne railway line, close to a level crossing near to the town of Rinxent in France.
A Court of Inquiry was convened on 20 November 1917 to examine their cause of death. The Court of Inquiry concluded: “that they were killed on the railway line near Bane Noir Rinxent by a passing train or engine on the night of 18/19 November 1917, they were not on duty at the time of the fatal accident and there is no evidence to show why they were on the line.” The verdict – Both accidentally killed. The two young soldiers lie in Les Baraques Military Cemetery in Sangatte, near Calais.
The inscription on Arthur’s headstone reads “He sleeps with England’s heroes in the watchful care of God from Father and Mother”.
Arthur was only 19 years old and had been in France for just over four months when the tragic accident occurred.

Family Life

Arthur was born in Altofts in October 1897, the eldest son of John and Ada Bramham. Arthur’s father, John, was also born in Altofts but Ada was born in South Milford.
Arthur’s early years were spent with his mother, father and two older sisters, Alice and Lilly, at 28, George Street, Altofts. Later the family moved to live at 11, Greenbank Grove, Altofts.