Pte
William Artingstall

Information about birth

General information

Last known residence:
Blackpool, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom

Army information

Country:
Verenigd Koninkrijk
Force:
British Expeditionary Force
Rank:
Private
Service number:
351467
Enlistment place:
Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom
Units:
 —  Manchester Regiment, 2/9th Bn.  (Last known unit)

Information about death

Date of death:
09/10/1917
Place of death:
Augustus Wood, Passchendaele, Belgium
Cause of death:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)

Cemetery

Tyne Cot Cemetery
Plot: XXIV
Row: B
Grave: 21

Distinctions and medals 2

Points of interest 4

#1 Place of birth
#2 Last known residence
#3 Enlistment place
#4 Place of death (approximate)

My story

William Artingstall was born in Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire. He enlisted in the British Army and belonged to the 2/9th Battalion Manchester Regiment (198th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division).

William was killed on 9 October 1917 during the Battle of Poelcappelle, part of the Battle of Passchendaele. The 2/9th Battalion Manchester had its starting positions near Hamburg and launched an attack towards Haalen and Vienna Cotts. At 5:24 a.m., the battalion followed its own barrage towards its first objective near Heine House. However, the Germans launched one barrage after another and soon counterattacked. This forced the battalion to retreat to Augustus Wood. Further counterattacks were repelled, and the line was held until relief arrived.

After the war, William’s body was found near Augustus Wood. He was reburied in Tyne Cot Cemetery, where he found his final resting place.

Sources 5

2/9 Battalion Manchester Regiment war diary (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/3141/7).
http://nationalarchives.gov.uk
Sources used
British Army World War I Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO372).
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
Sources used
McCarthy, Chris. Passchendaele: The Day by Day Account (Londen: Arms & Armour Press, 1995), p. 122.
Sources used
Soldier's Effects records (National Army Museum, Chelsea (NAM) 1901-60; NAM Accesion Number: 1991-02-333).
https://www.nam.ac.uk/
Sources used
War Office and Air Ministry: Service Medal and Award Rolls, First World War (the National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO 329).
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
Sources used

More information 3