RFA West Lancs Bdes
680346 SGT A MUNRO, MM, CdG, RFA
Arthur Munro was born in May 1893 and baptised at Preston St Mary’s on 4 June. His parents were George Munro (b. 1865 in Preston), a cloth looker in a cotton mill, and Amelia Butterworth (b. 1865 in Preston). George and Amelia were married in 1886 and they had 4 children, though one died in infancy. The survivors were: Nelly (b. 1887), Harry (b. 1891), then Arthur. In 1911, the family was living at 166 London Road, Preston, and Arthur was a cotton weaver.
Arthur joined the artillery at the start of the War. He was assigned service number 1454 (later changed to 680346) and posted to “C” Battery in 276 Brigade. He landed with 55th Division in France on 30 September 1915. At some point he was promoted to Sergeant.
Arthur came home on leave in July 1917 when he married Dorothy Lee (b. 1891 in Burnley).
Arthur fought through the Passchendaele offensive in 1917 and also endured the humiliation of Cambrai at the end of that year, though he himself emerged with honour and was awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre in January 1918.
He also demonstrated considerable valour during the German Spring Offensive, at Givenchy, and for his conduct on 9 April he was recommended for the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal. The commendation reads:
680346 Sergeant Arthur MUNRO
C/276 Battery R.F.A.
(2nd West Lancs Bde R.F.A. T.F.)
Date of recommendation: 14/04/18
Award recommended: Distinguished Conduct Medal
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near GORRE on 9th April 1918 during the attack on the 55th Division.
This N.C.O. was a linesman and, at 4.15 a.m. on the 9th April 1918 the enemy put down a very heavy barrage of shells of all calibre with H.E. and gas on the Battery Position near TUNING FORK (F.4.b.)
By 5.00 a. m. all telephone communication had been cut and this N.C.O. immediately went out through a continuously heavy barrage to repair the lines.
Throughout the day he was indefatigable in his efforts to maintain communication working the whole time under heavy shell fire. He displayed the utmost gallantry and disregard for his own personal safety and his gallant action was of immense value in maintaining communication at a critical period of the battle.
The actual award was downgraded to Military Medal and the award was announced in the London Gazette on 7 October 1918.
Arthur served out the rest of the War and returned to Preston. In 1920, he and Dorothy had a daughter, whom they named Dorothy, and according to the Census in 1921, Arthur was a restaurant manager, working for his brother Harry who owned a couple of businesses in Miller Arcade in Preston. Sadly Arthur died in 1925, aged 32.