The three younger sons of Mary Shehen Slatter (1837-1889) and John Slatter (1838-1901) epitomized this military service tradition. Living in extreme poverty in Whitechapel, the adolescent boys (John Daniel, Albert William, and Henry Arthur) were placed on a training ship in the Thames to gain skills that would help them qualify for the military. Not only did they qualify, they eventually became renowned military bandmasters.
Arthur Albert Slatter, a son of Henry Arthur Slatter, enlisted in the Royal Fusiliers in 1901, at 16 years old. Like his father, he became a military musician.
In 1914, Arthur Albert joined the London Regiment, 20th Battalion, and was sent to the "Western European Theatre" during WWI. I was saddened to learn that he was killed in action on May 20, 1917. His name is inscribed on the memorial at Arras, Departement du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France.
Arthur Henry Slatter, a cousin of Arthur Albert, was married with two children, making a living as a house painter and decorator when he received his military notice to serve in 1915.
Arthur Henry enlisted in the Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex) Regiment, London, at the age of 40. At top, you can see his "attestation."
Two years later, he was wounded in battle and sent to Etchinghill Hospital near Kent, England, where he died on October 2, 1917. Private Arthur Henry Slatter is buried in Shorncliffe Military Cemetery in Kent, England.
Today we mourn the loss of all the brave men and women who served in WWI and other wars, fighting for democracy and freedom.
Nice commemoration
ReplyDeleteIt was a shock to see "Dead" scrawled across the attestation card. I join you in mourning the loss of all the men and women who gave their lives in WWI for our sake.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tribute to these heroes! As a descendant of a fifer in the Revolutionary War, I am always interested in learning a litle more of the musicians in the military. I am sorry to hear that several of your husband's ancestors lost their lives in the war.
ReplyDeleteTY all for your nice comments. It was, indeed, a shock to see "Dead" written over this soldier's card. That's why I felt I had to post it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shock to the whole family to lose two of its young men and cousins! I hope the children of Arthur Henry were old enough to have memories of their father before he passed away. Thanks for remembering these two brave men.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tribute, Marian. I've seen cards with "Dead" written across them many times. It seems so cold, but I guess that's how they kept track, back in the day.
ReplyDeleteThanks to all of you for reading and commenting. It's so important for all of us to keep alive the memories of ancestors for future generations--I appreciate that you're helping me do this for my husband's Slatter men in the military.
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