Pte 57974 Arthur Harold Barlow

• Age: 22
• From: Fulham, London
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• D.O.W Monday 9th April 1917
• Commemorated at: Bucquoy Rd Cem Ficheux
  Panel Ref: I.A.9

Arthur Harold was born on the 28th April 1895 in Fulham, London, and was the son of Ernest Stephen Barlow and his wife Esther Eliza (nee Deadman) who were married at St Mary's Church, Putney on the 11th August 1895.

Albert(Arthur) and Emily of 41 Glenrosa Street begin at Langford Road School on the 16th July 1900

At the time of the 1901 census Arthur was 5 years old and living with his mother Esther and sister Emily who was 4 at 41 Glenrosa Street, Fulham. Esther was aged 29, a dressmaker born in Dover, and the father was not listed on the Census.

Arthur’s father was admitted to Hanwell Lunatic Asylum on the 13th June 1906 and died three years later on the 22nd June 1909 at the age of 39.

The 1911 census records the family living at 66 Cranbury Road, Fulham where both Esther aged 39 and her daughter Emily now aged15 are employed as dressmaker's. Arthur is aged 14, and working as a butchers shop assistant.

He enlisted in Fulham and was formerly 221, London Divisional Cyclist Company and was serving in the 18th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 57974 when he died of wounds on the 9th April 1917 aged 22. 

He now rests at Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, France where his headstone bears the epitaph:

“FAREWELL BRAVE HEART YOU DIED FOR THOSE YOU LOVED. UNTIL WE MEET”

In November 1916, the village of Ficheux was behind the German front line, but by April 1917, the German withdrawal had taken the line considerably east of the village and in April and May, the VII Corps Main Dressing Station was posted near for the Battles of Arras. It was followed by the 20th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations, which remained at Boisleux-au-Mont until March 1918, and continued to use the Bucquoy Road Cemetery begun by the field ambulances. From early April to early August 1918 the cemetery was not used but in September and October, the 22nd, 30th and 33rd Casualty Clearing Stations came to Boisleux-au-Mont and extended it. By the date of the Armistice, it contained 1,166 burials but was greatly increased when graves were brought in from the surrounding battlefields and from small cemeteries in the neighbourhood. 

The cemetery now contains 1,901 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 168 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to 23 casualties known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials commemorate 21 casualties buried by their comrades in Henin-sur-Cojeul German Cemetery, whose graves could not be found on concentration.

The cemetery was used again in May 1940 for the burial of troops killed during the German advance. There are 136 burials and commemorations of the Second World War; 26 of the burials are unidentified and special memorials commemorate 39 soldiers whose graves in the cemetery could not be specifically located.

The 1939 Register records Esther and Emily as still living at 66 Cranbury Road. Esther is retired but Emily is still working as a dressmaker.

Mother Esther, dob 5th Jan 1872, and daughter Emily M. appear still at 66a Cranbury Rd.

She died in 25th March 1956 aged 84

Barlow Esther Eliza of 66 Cranbury Road, Fulham, London widow 25 March 1956 at St. Luke's Hospital, Chelsea, London administration (with Will) London 18 April to Emily Maud Barlow spinster. Effects £612 9s 3d. 

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