Lance Corporal Arthur Henry Astle lived in Long Eaton and was married to Jenny Astle. 

It is unknown when Arthur enlisted to the Sherwood Foresters. He had regimental number 10688, and first served with the 1st Battalion. He enlisted prior to the Great War (1914-18), as he disembarked in France on the 4th of November 1914, the same day as the 1st Battalion; they had previously been serving in Bombay. Arthur later transferred Battalion; it is unknown exactly when. 

In September 1916, he was serving with the 16th (Chatsworth Rifles) Battalion when he was awarded the Military Medal (MM) for gallantry. This was reported in the London Gazette (9th December 1916): ‘For gallantry at Beaumont Hamel on 3.9.1916, when was one of a carrying party taking bombs from Fort Jackson to forward dump in Pond Street. He took charge of the party when the NCO became a casualty, made several journeys through the enemy keeping his party well together and keeping the forward dump well supplied. He displayed gallantry and power to command and devotion to duty.’ 

Arthur’s recommendation for the MM was recorded in much the same wording as above, in the Battalion War Diary on the 8th of September, with his MM being confirmed on the 29th. 

The Battalion would take part in the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917. It is unknown if Arthur was still with the Battalion at this stage, as he was transferred to the Labour Corps. He was given new number 655079. 

Arthur was discharged on the 13th of May 1919. Sadly, Arthur would not live long after the war; he died in August 1923. His widow, Jenny, is then recorded as drawing his pension.