264528 Pte. Arthur Patrick McNally British Army 1/5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers from:Walker Arthur Patrick McNally was born in April 1895 in Walker, Northumberland, to Elizabeth Brunton, age 34, and James McNally, age 36.
In 1911 he was indentured as an Apprentice Engineer in the Marine Engineering Works of Swan Hunters on the Tyne.
Arthur joined the 1/5th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers as a Farrier with his elder brother Joseph in 1914 aged 19. On the outbreak of war, the Battalion was based at his home in Walker, as part of the Northumberland Brigade, Northumbrian Division. He landed with the Division in France on 17th of April 1915 and was immediately deployed into the chaotic Battle of St Julien (Battle of Ypres) when his brother Joseph (also 1/5th) was wounded in action on 26th May during the same battle.
Arthur was later wounded at Dickebusch in Belgium on 25th of Jan 1916, with 'gunshot wounds' to his head, hip and spine, he was taken to No 18 Field Hospital at Camiers in France for treatment and subsequent recuperation.
He served with his regiment through the Battles of Ypres, Somme, second Arras, Passchendaele, St Quentin, Rosieres, Estaires, Hazebrouck, Aisne, Cambrai, Selle, and Sambre through to 11th of March 1919, when he was transferred to Army Z (Reserves) for demobilisation.
He returned to his family in Walker and was later awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal and the 14-15 Star for his service to his country in 1921.
Arthur moved south and married Christina C Elder in July 1926 in Edmonton, Essex. Later remarrying Barbara L Freshwater in 1958 after the death of his first wife. He died in Enfield London and was later buried in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire on 8th May 1965 aged 70 outliving his elder brother Joseph by 25 years.
|