7933 Sgt Arthur Ager, 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment

7933 Sgt Arthur Ager of the 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment, was killed in action on this day, 20th July, in 1916. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission notes that he was 29 years old and the husband of Rose Gildon (formerly Ager) of 23 Sugar Well Road, Meanwood, Leeds. Soldiers Died in The Great War adds the additional information that Arthur was born in Hatfield Peverel, Essex, enlisted at Warley, Essex and was a resident of Leeds.

I had surmised that Arthur Ager was a regular soldier and subsequent information from a poster on the Great War Forum has proved that to be the case. His number does not belong to the series being issued to Kitchener Battalions, nor does it belong to the series in use by the 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion or the Territorial Force battalions. The only series it could have belonged belong to is that which was being used by the regular battalions and it indicates that Arthur originally joined up between 27th May and 3rd June 1904.

The Essex Regiment Gazette notes that he was promoted corporal on 5th April 1911 whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion, and he was transferred to the reserve (still a corporal) on 30th June 1911. He was possibly posted straight to the 10th Essex when it was formed in September 1916. There is book With the 10th Essex in France which might mention Sergeant Ager and which would certainly give more detail about the action in which he was killed. He is however, mentioned by name on page 171 of Burrows' history of the 10th Essex where he is described as the Lewis Gun Senior NCO.

Arthur's medal index card records that he he arrived in France on 25th July 1915. He buried in Delville Wood Cemetery; grave reference XXXII.C.10.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry.co.uk (MIC)
Army Service Numbers 1881-1918
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Soldiers Died in the Great War
The Great War Forum (my thanks to Clive and Ali for responding to my enquiry there)