Arthur Charles Kingshott
Arthur Charles Kingshott was a Private with the "A Company", 8th Battalion, the East Surrey Regiment. His service number was L/11544.
Arthur was born in 1899 in Somers Town, London. He was the second son of Arthur Charles Kingshott (b.1872 in Marylebone, London) and Isabella Pope (b.1876 in Camberwell, London).
Arthur's mum did not survive to see her son killed, as she died in 1916. His father married again and began a second family.
Arthur Kingshott joined the East Surrey Regiment, at Ashton-under-Lyme, on 25th October 1915 at the age of 15 years 10 months. At the time of joining he was only a little lad, at 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 122 pounds. He was described as having a fresh complexion, gray eyes and dark brown hair.
Arthur remained in various reserve battallions until being transferred to France on 13th July 1918 where he was posted to No 40 Infrantry Base Depot, BEF, France. By this time he was officially old enough to go to war.
Arthur was killed just over a month later, on 22nd August 1918. He is buried at Ovillers Military Cemetery, on the Somme, France.
Arthur was posthumously awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. His father received those medals in 1922. This is the reciept that he signed.
Arthur was my 6th cousin twice removed.