Arthur Hutchinson

Private Arthur Hutchinson

MM, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 2nd/4th Battalion

There is no record of an Arthur Hutchinson living in Ossett in 1901 or 1911. In the latter year number 4, Naylor Street, Ossett was the home of 60 year-old widow Emma Dews and a 21 year old married boarder Elsie Smith.

Arthur Hutchinson’s army service record appears not to have survived, but there are medal cards several soldiers named Arthur Hutchinson serving with KOYLI. None include reference to the award of the Military Medal. Whilst this is not unusual it does make it difficult to identify his service number to check which of the service medals he was awarded.

“Private Arthur Hutchinson (21), 2/4th K.O.Y.L.I., whose home is with his married sister at 4, Naylor-street, Ossett, has also been awarded the Military Medal. The official intimation states that he ‘showed great courage throughout the operations on July 20th-21st 1916, in going out alone and tending to the wounded when no stretcher-bearers were available. On three occasions he went out under heavy machine-gun fire to bring in a wounded man of his platoon, and in the event was successful. Private Hutchinson enlisted in October 1914, and has been in France over two years.” ¹

References:

1. “Ossett Observer”