Son of Mr James Albert and Mrs Sarah Ann Underwood
Aged 19 years
Died 27th November 1915
Commemorated at Alexandria (Chatby) Military & War
Memorial Cemetery, Egypt
Grave B.64
Memorial Card Courtesy of Clive Wood
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| Born and enlisted at Rushden. |
The Rushden Echo Friday 17 December 1915, transcribed by Nicky Bates
Rushden Soldier Dead - Lance-Corpl Arthur Underwood - A Victim of Pneumonia Following Severe Wounds - A Local Territorial
We deeply regret to announce the death of 2011 Lance-Corpl Arthur Underwood, 1/4th Northants Regt., son of Mr and Mrs Albert Underwood, of 99, Portland-road, Rushden, formerly of 20, Cromwell-road. Death took place on Nov. 27th the cause being officially given as pneumonia.
Mr and Mrs Underwood received the following letter from Pte Arthur S Lawman (13, Park-road, Raunds), now in the 21st General Hospital (Ward 6), Alexandria:- "I am sorry to inform you that your son Arthur got wounded on Nov. 9th. I got wounded on Nov. 11th on the same post, but he had to undergo an operation and he died on Nov. 27th. I knew him well before we came out from England. I also went to see him in bed. I was in the same ward as he was in hospital. He tried to write, but he could not. I am now in bed, but hope to get up soon, but must now close, with deepest sympathy."
Deceased's parents had previously had official intimation that their son was "dangerously ill at the 21st General Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt, suffering from wounds," and another official communication was to the effect that he was "suffering severe gunshot wounds in the feet and thigh."
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Accompanying the official intimation of the death of Lance-Corpl Underwood was an expression of true sympathy of the King and Queen signed by Lord Kitchener.
On Nov. 16th deceased sent the following communication to his mother: "I am safe in hospital in Alexandria, and as I don't feel inclined to write myself a lady is writing this for me. I was wounded on Nov. 10th by a bomb, which has hurt both legs and one of my feet. They carried me down to the dressing station and put me on a hospital ship, and I arrived here yesterday. I shall hope to tell you in a few days what the doctors say of my wound. It is hurting rather at present. You must not worry at all, and I have every hope of being sent home before long. I am very thankful to be safe and comfortable in bed, and out of the sound of shot and shell."
The Rev. C B Greaves, Chaplin writing on Nov. 25th, said: "I am writing for your son Arthur, who is here wounded and not getting on very well at present, though we are hoping he will soon be on the mend. I thought he wanted to dictate a letter, but he doesn't feel equal to it. He is getting every care and attention and the best medical advice, and is in about the best hospital in Egypt. I am coming to see twice a day, to cheer him and I hope I shall soon be able to tell you he is out of danger."
Deceased, who was 19 years of age last April, was in the Territorials, and used to work at Messrs. Robinson Bros' boot factory in Grove-road, Rushden. In the summer of 1914 he went to camp with the rest of the Territorials, and on the outbreak of war was mobilized with the others. In July last he went with the Battalion to the Dardenelles. He used to write home in terms of high praise of his officers and of Captain Wright in particular.
A brother of the deceased - Private John Underwood - is in the R.A.M.C. at Southampton Docks.
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Wellingborough News, December 17 1915, transcribed by Clive Wood
Rushden Soldiers Death In Hospital
We regret to state that Lance-Corpl. Arthur Underwood (1st/4th Northants) son of Mr and Mrs Albert Underwood, of 99 Portland-road, Rushden, has died in hospital, after having been wounded in several places. On the outbreak of war the then Private Underwood was called up with the Territorials and after training at various places went to the Dardanelles with the rest of the battalion, on board the Royal George. Whilst on Gallipoli he won his stripe. Lance-Corpl Underwood was wounded on the 9th November in both legs and the foot, and was consequently removed to the 21st General Hospital at Alexandria, the wounds at first began to heal, but unfortunately blood-poisoning and pneumonia set in and he passed peacefully away on November 27th. The deceased soldier was 19 years of age. The bereaved parents have received numerous letters of sympathy from the hospital, including the following which is from the sister-in-charge:-
Dear Mrs Underwood - Ere this letter reaches you I expect you will have been notified of the sad news of your son's death. He came into this ward on the 15th November, in a rather serious condition, both legs having been injured. The doctor operated upon one, and the wounds were getting on nicely, but he had been wounded some time and the poison from the wounds had spread through his body. Everything that could be done for him was done but he died at 4.30a.m. this morning. He did not suffer very much before passing away, as he was in a semi-conscious condition. Padre wrote to you two days before he died. This seems to be a very brave statement of facts: but I think you will be glad to know all about him. He was a very good boy, and bore his pains well, I do hope you are keeping well, and cheered in the knowledge that he died for his King and Country."
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The Rushden Echo Friday 4 February 1916, transcribed by Nicky Bates
Captain's Fine Tribute To a Rushden Hero - The Late Lance-Corpl A Underwood 'Absolutely Fearless'
Mr and Mrs A Underwood, of 99 Portland-road, Rushden, have received from Capt. FA Wright, officer commanding B Company, 1/4th Northamptonshire Regiment dated Jan. 11th 1916 from Egypt the following letter: "I have only just recently heard of your son's death (Lance-Corpl A Underwood) and, though it may reopen the wound, I should like to let you known how sorry I was to hear it. As you know, the regiment occupied one of the hottest positions on the Peninsula, and the work that your son was engaged in was more dangerous than the ordinary man's. He was absolutely fearless, and as cool a man as I have seen under fire, and was marked out for rapid promotion. It pleased me to hear his end was painless."
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The Wellingborough News Friday 4 February 1916, transcribed by Nicky Bates
Boot Operatives' Union Men Killed
The monthly report of the National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives ... the names of members killed in action during the past month: ...
A Underwood, 4th Northants, died of pneumonia (Higham and Rushden).
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| The Rushden Echo, 1st December 1916, transcribed by Gill Hollis
IN MEMORIAM
UNDERWOOD – In loving memory of our dear one Lce-Cpl Arthur Underwood, who died of wounds November 27th, 1915, aged 19. Buried at Chatley Cemetery, Alexandria.
Sleep on, dear, in a soldier’s grave;
Your life for your country you nobly gave,
No loved one was near to say goodbye,
But in God’s keeping safe you lie.
From Father, Mother, Sisters, and Brothers.
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