Rifleman Arthur Jessup

Arthur was born in Plat in the parish of Wrotham, Kent in 1800. He came from a large family and was the youngest of 10 children. His brothers and sisters were all half siblings, whose mother Fanny had died in 1877. Arthur’s mother was named Jane.

In 1881 when Arthur was aged 4 months, the family were staying at the house of Arthur’s eldest sister Elizabeth and her husband in Hadlow, Kent. By 1891 the family had moved to Pizien Well, Wateringbury, Kent. Father Jesse was employed as an Agricultural Labourer. 1901 saw the family still living in Pizien Well, but only Arthur was still living at home, where he was employed as an Agricultural Labourer as his father before him.

In 1911 Arthur married Susannah Louisa Farmer. Susannah had been working as a servant in 1910, at a house near Wrotham where Arthur was born, so they most probably met locally. They couple moved to 28 Byegrove Road, Mitcham and soon had a young family – Reginald Arthur, and John who was born in 1916, and baptised at Christ Church, Mitcham.

During the Great War, Arthur enlisted at Charing Cross with the 7th Battalion, Rifle Brigade. On 20 May 1915, the battalion mobilised for war and landed at Boulogne. He was therefore entitled to the Victory, British and the Star Medal. The brigade would have seen action at the Battle of Delville Wood in 1916, and the Battle of Flers-Courcelette (15 – 22 September 1916). It was during this battle that Arthur sustained a gunshot wound to his wrist. He was treated on the hospital ship Asturias a few days later, on the 18 September. He later received a DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal) which was recorded in the London Gazette. The entry reads:

“S/6207 Pte. A. Jessup, Rif. Brig.
For conspicuous gallantry in action, when, although wounded, and being the only one of his gun team left, he carried his gun up to the objective, and then brought up the magazines and laid the gun for action. He was ordered by his C.O. to go to a dressing station but was found several hours later still at his post.”

After Arthur had recovered from his wounds, he joined the 8th Battalion, where he remained for the rest of his service. His new battalion would have fought in the Battle of Arras (9 April – 16 May 1917). On 1 October 1917, the 8th Battalion’s War Diary does not report any particular action, nevertheless, Arthur is recorded as being ‘Killed in action’, while three other soldiers were wounded. Arthur is buried in the Kandahar Farm Cemetery, Belgium. His grave is marked with a cross and displays the words “In Fond Remembrance”, chosen by Susannah. He is also commemorated locally on the Mitcham War Memorial.

After his death, his widow Susannah received his last pay of £5.4.2 plus the War Gratuity of £13.00. She carried on living in Mitcham until her early death in 1921 aged 39.