Arthur Churchyett (1877 - 1917)

Arthur's name does not appear on the Alveley Memorial. It is possible that his only connection with the village is the fact that his wife moved there after his death.

Arthur was born in Kidderminster in 1877. He was the son of George Churchett, a Carpet Weaver, and his wife, Emily. The family lived in Silver Hill for a while before moving to Bromsgrove Street, where Emily ran a grocer's shop for a while. By 1901 they had moved to Waterloo Street.

Arthur first worked in a carpet factory but by 1911 he was employed as table man to a tanner and currier. He married Mary Ann Price at St Mary's Kidderminster in June. They had eight children, at least one of whom died in childhood.

Before the war, Arthur was in the Worcestershire Volunteers for sixteen years. He enlisted at Worcester in February, 1915 and spent sixteen months serving at home before being transferred to the Labour Corps and sent to France in June 1916. He died of a gunshot wound to the head at No. 2 Australian Casualty Clearing Station, on 15th August, 1917, while serving with the 162nd Coy. Labour Corps. He is buried at Trois Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerck.

Private Arthur Churchyett, 189141, Labour Corps, was awarded the Victory and British Medals. As Lance Corporal, number 14, 7th Battalion Worcester Regiment, he had received the Territorial Efficiency Medal.

His wife, Mary Ann, married George Handley in 1921, and lived at 89, Daddlebrook, Alveley.