Pte 36327 Arthur Corlett

• Age: 22
• From: Andreas, I.O.M
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Thursday 12th October 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

Arthur Corlett was born in 1893 in Andreas, Isle of Man and was baptised the 05th November 1893. He was the son of Henry and Jane(nee Kinnish) Corlett, of Dhowin Andrews, Isle of Man, who were married on the 12^th July 1880 in Andreas. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at "Larivane”, Andreas, Isle of Man.

Arthur's father, Henry, is aged 48, an Agricultural Labourer, his mother Jane is aged 41, and is a Dress Maker, children Walter A. aged 13, Edith 9, Arthur 7, Ellen J. 3, and Albert 1. 

The 1911 Census shows the family living at Blacklion, Andreas, Isle of Man.

Arthur's father, Henry, is aged 56, born 1855in Andreas, Isle of Man and is a Farm Labourer as were his wife and five children. His mother Jane is aged 50, born 1861 and is a Dress Maker, James aged 26, born 1885 and occupation farm labourer as is Walter aged 23 born 1888, Arthur 17, is a tailor, Nellie aged 13, born 1898 and Albert aged 10, born in 1901 are both still at school. 

Arthur enlisted in Seaforth, Liverpool and was serving in the 18th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 36327 when he was killed in action on the 12th October 1916 aged 22 during the Battle of the Transloy Ridges which was part of the ongoing Somme Offensive.

He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916. 

On 01^st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

Arthur’s death was reported in the Ramsay Courier on 3rd November 1916:

“It is our painful duty to have to record the receipt of news in the form of official word from the War Office that Private Arthur (Artie) Corlett, 23, had been killed in action in France on Oct. 12th.  The sad news was conveyed to the young man’s parents, who reside at the Dhowin, Andreas, in an official letter from the War Office last week, which was accompanied by a letter from their Majesties the King and Queen, expressing their deep sympathy with the bereaved parents in their sad loss. Private Arthur Corlett, along with his brother Walter, who is still in France, enlisted in the King’s Liverpool Regiment in March last, and after spending a brief period of training in England, was drafted, in company with his brother, to France. Private Corlett, who was a tailor by trade, served his time with Mr. J. T. Teare, Village, Andreas, and when he enlisted was in the employ of Mr. Herbert Cain, tailor and outfitter, Parliament Street, Ramsay, and while working here amongst us was universally liked by everyone for his sterling qualities.  Like so many more of the young men of the Northern district, Private Corlett heard the call of his country and we hope that, now that he has made the supreme sacrifice, it shall not have been in vain.  He, like so many more of our brave Northern lads, has died so that we may live.  “Greater love hath no man than that he give his life for his brother.”  Private Corlett was a first cousin to Privates Robert and Herbert Christian, of Ballaslig, Andreas, who were killed some time ago, also in France.”

Reported killed in the Liverpool Daily Post 11^th Nov 1916 

King’s (Liverpool Regt.) - Corlett, 36327, A. (Isle of Man); 

Isle of Man Examiner 11^th Nov 1916 

PRIVATE A. CORLETT KILLED.  

Mr and Mrs Corlett, of the Dhowin, Andreas, have received official information that their son, Private Arthur Corlett (23) was killed in action on 12th Oct. He was formerly a tailor in Ramsey. 

Arthur is commemorated on the Isle of Man Great War Roll of Honour (1914-1918). 

Soldiers Effects and Pension to mother Jane, The Dhowin, Smeale Rd, Andreas.   

Mother died aged 85 and was buried on the 2^nd January 1945 in Andreas and the father died aged 98 and was buried on the 24^th May 1951 at Andreas. 

We currently have no further information on Arthur Corlett, if you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.