Arthur George Amies

War Service

“With regard to his War service: In January of 1915 the deceased enlisted as a private in the Beds Yeomanry. He was staying at the time with an uncle in Bedfordshire. In August of the same year he went to France and was there until July 1916, when, being injured by a horse, he had to return to this country, blood-poisoning being feared. After being in hospital in Manchester he had a short leave and then returned to France, where he was on the Somme and did useful work on the lines of communication with the Front. Then, in February last, he came to England to study at a cadet school in Surrey, made splendid progress and in July was gazetted 2nd Lieut with the York and Lancasters. On August 9th he married Miss Annis Tunningley B.A. of Tadcaster and after a short honeymoon crossed to Flanders. Here as keen as ever, determined to fill a man’s place in the mighty struggle and all the while writing most comforting letters to his parents and others. Finally, at his urgent request, he was sent forward into the line of action; he felt as though nothing less would satisfy his sense of duty and it was after a short time there only, before his parents and other dear one knew that he was in action, that his young life was nobly given in the service of his country.
We have already indicated in what regard the deceased officer was held whilst at school at Pontefract and we need only add that in the testimonials which Mr Nichols cheerfully gave him when applying for appointments as striking evidence of rare application and devotion and loyalty to duty.
From Mr Bentley J.P., Chairman of the Pontefract Board of Guardians and any other public men and others , Mr and Mrs Amies have received messages of heartfelt sympathy”.
He is buried at Tyne Cot Cemetery.

Family Life

“There is deep and widespread sympathy with Mr T J Amies, Clerk to the Pontefract Board of Guardians, and Mrs Amies in the great bereavement they are called upon to bear by the death of their eldest son – the eldest of the family in fact – 2nd Lieutenant Arthur George Amies of the York and Lancaster Regiment, who fell bravely doing his duty for the old country and the Empire, in Flanders, on 9th October inst. There are circumstances which make the blow to the parents heavy indeed. This young officer – he was 23 – had a successful school career and was beloved of many besides his own kith and kin; he had done remarkably well for his years in the profession he was following – that of his esteemed father; he was but newly married to a young lady, already a B.A., whose future promised to be as bright as his own; and it was through what may be termed a specially strong sense of duty that he sought the post of danger which, alas! proved fatal so early in this new experience.
Young Amies was for 6 ½ years a pupil at King’s School, Pontefract where he was highly successful, not only winning his way to the highest form but winning the hearts of his school fellows and of the staff – as testimonials which the Head Master (the Rev T Howey Nichols M.A.) gave to him later abundantly testify. In his 17th year he matriculated 1st class in the Notts. University and then entered the office of an uncle who is Clerk to the Epsom Board of Guardians. Some two years later he was appointed on the staff of the Bedwelty Board of Guardians and was offered a substantial advance of salary if he would remain. This was at a time when his little sister died and having decided to come nearer home, he obtained an appointment on the staff of the Tadcaster Union Offices. The way in which he is spoken of by Mr Bromet, the Clerk, who has written Mr Amies most sympathetically, speaks for itself: Mr Bromet is deeply grieved at the sad news, tenders sincere sympathy and says they had all hoped that Lieut. Amies would come back to the after the War and they would miss him very greatly”.
Extract from the Pontefract and Castleford Express 26.10.1917.

Tyne Cot Memorial