ARTHUR JOHN AVIS
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Image from the Suffolk Chronicle And Mercury – 1915.
Born: 1890, Norwich, Norfolk.
Died: 13th August 1915; Age: 25; drowned aboard the Royal Edward, following a torpedo attack by an enemy submarine. Served 186 days.
Coventry Evening Telegraph – Wednesday, 18th August 1915 – COVENTRY MAN ABOARD THE ROYAL EDWARD – The troops aboard the British transport the Royal Edward, which was sunk by an enemy submarine in the Dardanelles with a feared loss of a thousand lives, incluse at least one Coventry man – Private Arthur John Avis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Avis, of 94, Far Gosford Street, who in February last joined the East Anglian Casualty Clearing Station, and sailed from England aboard the ill-fated vessel a fortnight last Saturday.
On the journey out, he often communicated with his friends, but the first notification of the sinking of the vessel was the publication of the news in “The Midland Daily Telegraph.” So far as is at present known, there is some hope of Private Arthur Avis having been rescued, having regard to the Admiralty statement that 600 men were believed to have been saved. Arthur, who was 25 years of age and married, was engaged in the East Suffolk Health Department.
Coventry Herald – Friday, 10th September 1915 – COVENTRY MAN WHO WAS ON THE ROYAL EDWARD – The War Office has published the names of 852 men missing and believed to have drowned in the Royal Edward disaster in the Aegean Sea. Included in the list is the name of Private Arthur John Avis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Avis, of 94, Far Gosford Street, Coventry, who was a member of the East Anglian Casualty Clearing Station.
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: Only 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 Boys’ 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 reorganised, 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, 25 year old Arthur, a clerk, of 634, Woodbridge Road, Ipswich, married 24 year old Lilian Elizabeth Buscall, born October 1891, Ipswich – eldest daughter of Robert Towers Buscall, a butcher 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.
In the Coventry Evening Telegraph – Friday, 10th September 1915, Arthur’s parents announced the loss of their son, Arthur. At the same time, they submitted an announcement of the loss of 23 year old ROBERT (Robbie) CHARLES SNELL, faithful chum of their son Arthur, and sadly missed by his sorrowing friend Allie.
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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