12402 Private Arthur Savage
7th(Service)Battalion
York & Lancaster Regiment
6th December 1915
Born in 1884 in Peterborough and baptised on 29/03/1891. His parents were George Savage (08/07/1856-18/08/1901) and
Kate Burrows (1853-24/02/1933). They were married on 30/03/1877.
Arthur had 4 brothers, Charles (11/04/1878-18/02/1970), Ernest (22/12/1879-08/01/1956), George Edward (1881-1956) and Frederick (1882-1935).
He also had 5 sisters, Dora Lily (1877-26/06/1957), Rebecca (29/12/1888-13/07/1982), Hilda Emeline (born in 1890),
Kate (born in 1893) and Sarah Olive (23/02/1895-20/05/1977).
In the 1891 census, the family were recorded as living at 114 Gladstone Street, Peterborough. George snr. was employed as
a railway fireman shunter.
The 1901 census, still sees the family living on Gladstone Street, but they had now moved to number 118. George snr. was still working for the railway, but had been promoted as was now a railway traffic inspector. Arthur too was now employed as
a brickyard apprentice. Sadly, Arthur's father, died suddenly on the 18th August this year.
Peterborough Standard – Saturday 24 August 1901
Death of a Peterborough Railway Official
Funeral of Inspector Savage
We regret to announce the death, which occurred early Sunday morning, of Inspector George Savage, of Gladstone Street, Peterborough, a respected of the Great Northern Railway Company. The deceased had only been ill a day of two having taken to his bed after leaving duty on Friday night. His death came as a shock to his many friends, his kindness of heart and genial disposition having gained for him the goodwill of all with whom he came into contact.
He held the position of night inspector at the station and day inspector in the yard and he was looked upon as a most reliable and trustworthy official. The deceased had been in the employ of the company for a period of 28 years. He commenced his railway career in the yard and by faithful service and assiduous attention to duty raised himself from the position of a shunter to that of an inspector. He leaves a widow and ten children, one of whom (a son) is married, and the greatest sympathy is expressed for them in their bereavement.
The remains were laid to rest in Peterborough Cemetery on Tuesday afternoon in the presence of a large number of all grades of the railway service. In the vicinity of deceased’s residence many blinds and respect shown in other ways. The railwaymen assembled
at the house and accompanied the mourners to the Cemetery by way of Cobden Street, Lincoln Road East and Monument Street.
The service in the chapel was read by the Rev. H.P. Bennett, curate of St Marks’s. The long line of followers then proceeded to the graveside, the following walking either side of the coffin, which was borne upon the bier:- Foreman Porters T. Dickenson, G. Green,
D. Scott, G. Mumford, F. Bradley and A. Brown. The remainder of the service at the graveside was an impressive character and
several of the deceased’s comrades were deeply touched…
The coffin was of pitch pine with black furniture and the breastplate bore the inscription :-
George Savage Died August 18th 1901 Aged 45 years.
By the 1911 census , the family had all but broken up, with only the 4 youngest daughters still living at 118 Gladstone Street.
Arthur at this time had moved to Sheffield, where he was working as a general labourer, whilst lodging at 44 Bridge Street
in Sheffield.
When war broke out, Arthur enlisted in Sheffield on 30/08/1914 into the York & Lancaster Regiment. His medical took place in
Sheffield a few days later on 03/09/1914, details as follows;
Declared Age - 30 years
Trade or Occupation - Labourer
Height - 5ft 6 1/2 inches, Weight - 150lbs
Chest Measurement - when fully expanded - 38 1/2 inches, Range of Expansion - 2 inches
Physical Development & Pulse - Good
Complexion - Fair, Eyes - Hazel, Hair - Light Brown
Religious Denomination - Church of England.
Arthur was posted to 7th(Service)Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment on 08/09/1914 to commence his training.
He had one disciplinary incident whilst at Bovington Camp, he was awarded 2 days confined to camp on 22/03/1915
for being absent from Church parade on 21/03/1915.
With his training completed, he was sent to France on 13/07/1915.
On 16/09/1915, he was awarded 4 days confined to camp for being late falling in on parade that day and on 15/11/1915,
Arthur was late falling in for rifle inspection and awarded 3 days confined to camp.
Less than a month later on 06/12/1915, Arthur was to die from wounds received whilst being in action.
He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.