Week 13 - Arthur Charles Flay

[Merry]

Arthur Flay was born in 1897 at Beckenham in Kent. His parents were Nathaniel Flay and Elizabeth Mary nee Grimes. Arthur was their youngest child of six.

Arthur's service record does not appear to have survived, so all I know is that he joined the Royal Fusiliers, most likely in 1915 (Private 13984).

The Battle of the Somme began on 1 July 1916 and Arthur was killed on 15 July, by which time he had been promoted to Lance Corporal. Arthur has no known grave, but his name is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial. Arthur was 19 years of age.

[Shona]

Arthur Flay was in the 26th Battalion the Royal Fusiliers - the Bankers' Battalion. The 26th was formed in 1915 and attracted bank clerks and accountants from all over the country.

Initial training took place at Marlow and High Beech. In November 1915, they moved to Aldershot.

On 4 May 1916, the 26th Battalion embarked for France.

Looking at CWGC and SDGW, his death was either on 15 September or 18 September, so I think he most likely lost his life during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, which was part of the Somme offensive.

The week-long battle began on 15 September 1916.

http://www.cwgc.org/somme/content.asp?menuid=27&id=27&menuname=Courcelette&menu=main

The battle is remembered as the one where tanks were used for the first time.

[Merry]

Thanks Shona.