No.G/11257, Private, Arthur MOSS
Aged 39
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George Argent was born in Lawshall (2nd qtr 1877 Sudbury 4a:521) son of Tom and Maria MOSS (née BOYDEN)
1881 census...Aged 2, he was at The Green, Lawshall with his father Thomas MOSS [38] farm labourer; his mother Maria [36]; brothers George [15], Fred [15], William [13] all farm labourers, Robert [11] and Teddy [4]; sisters Rose [9], Annie [6] and Elizabeth [2 months]. All were born in Lawshall. 1891 census...Aged 12, he was still at The Green, Lawshall with his parents; brothers George, Robert and Edward (farm labourers), Bertie [9] and Herbert [6]; sisters Rose, Annie and Elizabeth and niece Beatrice [5]. 1901 census...Aged 23, still at The Green, Lawshall with his parents; brothers George, Robert, Bertie and Herbert; sister Elizabeth; niece Ethel [4 months]. 1911 census...Aged 33, a farm labourer, he was still at The Green, Lawshall with his widowed mother Maria; brothers Robert, Bertie and Herbert (all farm labourers) and niece Ethel MOSS. His father had died in 1904 On the pension card his mother was at The Green, Lawshall. |
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He enlisted in Sudbury
The battalion were at High Wood, just north of Longueval and Delville Wood. The war diary has:- Draft of 4 OR joined the battalion. The 3rd Brigade was relieved in the morning by the 2nd Brigade and the 10th Glosters (1st Brigade) came up from BECOURT WOOD in support. The Germans were very active all day with their artillery. Orders were received that the 2nd Bde with one battalion each of the 1st and 3rd brigades would attack and capture the German trench in HIGH WOOD and to the east. At 4:45 pm, in conjunction with the 1st Northamptons on our left and the 2nd KRRC on our right, the battalion advanced to the attack, our objective being a portion of the trench WOOD LANE. In spite of very heavy artillery and M Gun fire, the attacking line, which consisted of "C" and "D" Coys advanced steadily and in splendid order, closely followed by "A" Coy, which was to form an outpost line in front, and "B" Coy which was to consolidate. "D" Coy secured its objective with few losses, "C" Coy on the left was less fortunate, suffering rather heavily from M Gun fire from HIGH WOOD. It entered the enemy trench, however with little difficulty. "A" Coy pushed through and advanced some distance in front of the captured line, accounting for several of the enemy who had run back. On our right the 60th Rifles gained their objective, but the Northamptons on our left were driven back by an intense fire. This left our flank exposed and a defensive flank was dug connecting the captured line with their original front line. By dark consolidation was well under way. Several prisoners were captured and one machine gun which was secured by the Battalion Scout Sergeant. Our casualties were as follows: Officers killed 2 Lieut Forder CF and Capt D'A Harvey, 2 Lieut GL Reade, 2 Lt WG Humphreys, 2 Lt JT Clarke, 2 Lt HE Coleman. Officers Wounded Captain FC Sawton, 2 Lt CA Collins, Capt H Wigston, 2 Lt Weber Brown Other Ranks 43 killed, 146 wounded, 59 missing, 4 wounded and missing. CWGC actually records a total of 101 killed so it seems likely the missing failed to return. 26 are buried in Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, 9 in other cemeteries and 65 have no known grave, being named on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
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