b. 1890 Southwark, London. d. 12/08/1950 Barking, Essex.
DATE OF AM ACTION: 06/05/1916 Cabaret Rouge, France.
Arthur E Feldwick AM
Arthur was the son of Thomas and Katherine Alice Feldwick (nee Butcher), and was baptised on 21st May 1890 at St John’s, Southwark. After a basic schooling he became a postman, living as a boarder at 55 Silverlock Street in Bermondsey at the time of the 1911 Census. On 4th April 1914 at St Crispin’s in Bermondsey, he married Ada Ethel Legon. They had four daughters (two died as infants) and a son. Soon afterwards, he enlisted with the 8th Battalion, London Regiment and headed to France on 18th March 1915. According to D. V. Henderson, G.M., in Heroic Endeavour, ‘Corporal Feldwick was severely wounded in a grenade incident during his attempt to disarm the soldier.’ He was subsequently captured by the enemy at the Battle of Vimy Ridge on 21 May 1916 and taken Prisoner of War, being held for the rest of the War at Kriegsgflgr camp in Holland. Little is known of his postwar life, though he died in Barking, Essex on 12th August 1950.
AM CITATION:
On the night of the 6th May, 1916, as a working party under Lieutenant Rathbone was proceeding down a communication trench, they were fired upon from close quarters. On enquiry Lieutenant Rathbone ascertained that the shots came from a soldier who had run amok, and had posted himself with loaded rifle fixed bayonet further down the trench. Lieutenant Rathbone borrowed a rifle and accompanied by Corporal Feldwick advanced along the trench until in view of the mentally deranged man. They then advanced with rifles at the ready; the officer calling upon the man to surrender. Receiving no reply they then dropped their rifles and rushed him, and after disarming him took him to the nearest dressing station.
BURIAL LOCATION: RIPPLESIDE CEMETERY, BARKING, ESSEX.
SECTION T GRAVE 412.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: PRIVATELY HELD. SOLD AT DNW IN JULY 2017 FOR £7,500.
Acknowledgements:
Allan Stanistreet – Image of Arthur Feldwick AM.
Dix Noonan Webb – Images of the Feldwick Medal Group.