ARTHUR JOHN AVIS
Image from the Suffolk Chronicle And Mercury – 1915.
Born: 1890, Norwich, Norfolk.
Died: 13th August 1915; Age: 25; Died at Sea. Drowned Dardanelles, Aegean Sea, aboard ‘Royal Edward’, following torpedo attack by enemy submarine. Served 186 days.
Residence: 328, Spring Road, Ipswich.
Occupation: Chief Clerk for the Medical Officer of Health for East Suffolk
Enlistment Details: Location: Ipswich; Date: 9th February 1915; age 25 years; Address: 634, Woodbridge Road, Ipswich. Signed up for the Duration of the War. Height: 5ft 8ins. Next of Kin: Father – Arthur Avis, of 94, Far Gosford Street, Coventry, Warwickshire.
Embarked: Devonport – 30th July 1915 – Alexandria – 11th August 1915.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 92.
Regiment: Royal Army Medical Corps, East Anglian Clearing Station.
Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1915 Star.
Memorial Reference:
Panel 199 & 200 or 236 to 239 & 328.
Turkey (Gallipoli).
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Arthur & Alice Jane Avis, of 94, Far Gosford Street, Coventry; husband of Lilian Elizabeth Avis, of 328, Spring Road, Ipswich.
CENSUS
1891 6, King’s Road, Lakenham, Norfolk.
Arthur was a year old and living with his parents.
Arthur Avis, 25, a Bricklayer, born Norwich, Norfolk.
Alice Jane Avis (nee Miller), born Mildenhall, Suffolk.
1901 34, Spring Road, Ipswich.
Arthur was 11 years old and living with his parents & sister + maternal uncle.
Arthur, 35, a Builder – own account.
Alice, 34.
Alice Miller Avis, 8, born Ipswich.
Ernest W. Miller, 21, a Carpenter, born Norwich.
1 servant.
1911 634, Woodbridge Road, Ipswich.
Arthur was 21 years old, a Clerk to the County Education Committee. He was a boarder at the home of Charles William Pryor.
Arthur was educated at the Boy’s Secondary School, Ipswich. Upon leaving he joined the clerical staff of the East Suffolk Education Committee. When the office of Medical Officer of Health for East Suffolk was being re-organised Arthur was transferred to that department as chief clerk, a position he held until he enlisted in February 1915. His knowledge of sanitary and medical matters made him a desirable member of the Casualty Clearing Station.
On the 12th April 1915, at St. John’s Church, Ipswich, shortly before leaving for active service, Arthur, a Private for the R.A.M.C. married Lilian Elizabeth Buscall, born October 1891, Ipswich – eldest daughter of Robert Towers Buscall, a domestic gardener and Harriet Buscall (nee Handley), of Tintern House, 328, Spring Road, Ipswich.
On the 8th July 1915, Arthur wrote his Will and appointed his wife, Lilian Avis as executor. Arthur bequeaths his dear Father his rifle, his fishing rods, fishing tackle, smoker’s cabinet and cases of stuffed fish. To his dear Mother Arthur bequeath all his books, all his unframed paintings, his silver watch and chain, a New Testament which was bound, and his violin. To his sister Alice, he bequeaths his camera and Crown Devon toilet set.
Probate to Lilian Elizabeth Avis – widow.
Soldiers’ Effects to Lilian Elizabeth Avis – widow.
Arthur is also remembered on the war memorial at ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S CHURCH, Ipswich, and at Northgate High School. Formerly Ipswich Grammar School for Boys.
The Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) is part of the British Army providing medical services to all British Army personnel and their families in war and peace. Together with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, the Royal Army Dental Corps and Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps, the RAMC forms the British Army’s essential Army Medical Services. In combat, the men followed the troops over the top into no man’s land suffering losses of 743 officers and 6130 soldiers killed, while delivering medical care to wounded exposed to enemy fire. A non-combatant role under the Geneva Convention, members of the RAMC may only use weapons for self-defence.
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