RANDLE Arthur Ernest

Arthur Randle enlisted in the Grenadier Guards as Private, 12127 on 14th March 1905 at Dudley. On his attestation form he gave his place of birth as Cradley Heath near Dudley, Worcestershire, his age as 18 years 1 month and his occupation as a Bedstead Packer. He was 5 feet 9 inches tall with blue eyes, dark brown hair and a fresh complexion. Arthur was appointed Lance Corporal on 9th April 1906 and discharged on 27th July 1906 after serving 1 year 136 days.

At some point after 1906 Arthur Randle emigrated to Canada. He enlisted as a Private in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 19th February 1916 at Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. On his attestation paper he gave his address as 35 Francis St., Hamilton, Ontario, his place of birth as Quarry Bank, Staffordshire, England, his date of birth as 8th February 1887, his next of kin as his wife, Charlotte Randle of the same address (later amended to Holmes Ave, West Hamilton) and his occupation as a farmer. He had previously served for 3 years with the 13th Royal Regiment, Hamilton. Arthur was 5 feet 9½ inches tall with blue eyes, black hair and a ruddy complexion.

On 28th February he was promoted to Corporal and then to Sergeant on 12th April 1916. Arthur sailed with his unit from Halifax, Canada on the S.S. Empress of Britain on 14th August 1916, disembarking at Liverpool, England on 23rd August 1916. He remained in England until 21st July 1918 when he was posted to join the 116th Battalion overseas. Arriving in France on 22nd July 1918, he joined his unit on 3rd August 1918. His time at the front was to be short lived. On 27th August 1918 Arthur was admitted to No 12 Stationary Hospital at St Pol with a gunshot wound to his left thigh. He was transferred to No 3 Canadian General Hospital, Boulogne on 30th August 1918 where he died of wounds and septicaemia less than a week later on 4th September 1918.