I recently had cause to go into St Mary's, Newton... whilst there I came across this war grave for a Canadian Soldier.. it struck me as odd why Sapper Arnfield ended up buried here in Newton. I came across this information which I found very touching.. H.V. Arnfield was originally a Newton lad, the son of Mark and Elizabeth Arnfield. He emigrated to Canada for a better life and way of living. When war broke out he returned, to serve and help defend his country. He left his wife... Beatrice Arnfield safe in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. At the time of his death he was in England on leave, and went with his brother and his family to visit their sister in Liverpool... whilst there an air raid took place which left 6 of his family, including himself dead. He now rests here along with his brother and sister, back home in Newton.
I have seen these graves many times... seen the names, and the ages of the dead... I felt saddened as one does at these times... but to find out the story behind this one was very touching... This is the same grave yard where another soldier now lies.. 22 Year old Corporal Harvey Alex Holmes, from 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment, who was attached to 40 Commando Royal Marines Battle Group. He died in Afghanistan on the 2nd May this year. Another Newton lad back home at rest.
3 comments:
Very Interesting, Tom. You should send your picture and notes to the Regina newspaper, The Leader-Post http://www.leaderpost.com/ . They might find it interesting and their may be people in Regina who remember the young English couple.
What a lovely post, Tom.
Some lovely words i have just come across. My brother went all over the world but never felt more at home than in Hyde. My beautiful Harvey, safe and surrounded by the place he loved. God bless you darling and all of your fellow brothers and sisters in arms xx
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