RFA West Lancs Bdes
681619 L/BDR. A. HAYNES. R.F.A.
Arthur Haynes (in some records the family name is Haines) was born in the last quarter of 1885 in Dudley Port, Tipton, Staffordshire. His father was Elijah Haynes (b. 1856 in Tipton), a colliery manager. His mother was Eliza Jane Hartland (b. 1856 in Dudley). Elijah and Eliza were married in 1878 and they had 14 children but tragically 7 of them died in infancy. The survivors were: Amelia (b. 1880), then Arthur, then Maud (b. 1887), Clara (b. 1888), Jessie (b. 1890), Horace (b. 1896) and finally Miriam (b. 1897). Elijah died in 1909. In 1907, Arthur married Eliza Julia Blacker (b. 1886 in Kates Hill, Dudley), and the couple had two children: Mary Elizabeth (b. 1908) and Arthur (b. 1914). In 1911, the family lived at 20 Railway Street, Tipton. Arthur was a coal miner.
Arthur was among a group of about 30 or 40 men from the West Midlands who were recruited to the West Lancashire Brigades of the Royal Field Artillery, and they were mainly assigned to “B” Battery of 286 Brigade. Arthur served throughout the War with 286 Brigade and at some point was promoted to Lance Bombardier. He was discharged as medically unfit on 28 January 1919. He returned to work as a pikeman in a coal mine and died on 21 December 1919, aged 34. His death certificate states that he died of “‘morbus cordis’ (contracted on active service)” i.e. some non-specific heart condition.
Rank: Lance Bombardier
Service No: 681619
Date of Death: 21/12/1919
Age: 34
Regiment/Service: Royal Field Artillery, “B” Bty, 286th Bde.
Grave Reference: B. "C." 425.
Cemetery: TIPTON CEMETERY
Additional Information: Husband of Eliza Julia Haynes, of 20 Railway Street, Horseley Heath, Tipton.