Victor Alvus Arding MM

Rank:

Sergeant

Regimental number:

139008

Unit at enlistment:

75th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Date of death:

November 18th, 1916

Cemetery:

Adanac Military Cemetery - Somme, France - II.H.40

Awards or decorations:

Military Medal

Commemorated at:

Town of New Toronto War Memorial

Birth country:

England

Birth county:

Berkshire

Birth city:

Reading

Address at enlistment:

West River Street, Paris, Ontario

Next of kin address:

West River Street Paris, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Fireman

Religious denominations:

Church of England

Marital status:

Married

Age at enlistment:

Gallantry medals:

Yes

Image gallery:

Letters and documents

London Gazette: 29794
Date: October 21, 1916
Honour or Award: Military Medal
Authority: R.O. 181 Watson, September 9, 1916
Name: Victor Alvus Arding (139008)
Unit: 75th Battalion

Details: At St. Eloi during the night of 8th/9 September 1916, Cpl. Arding and another took part in an attempt to raid the enemy trenches. When both Officers in charge had been wounded they rallied the raiding party, attempted to rescue the wounded officers and returned to bomb the enemy trenches.

Circumstances of Casualty: Previously reported Missing, now reported Killed in Action. Information received states this soldier was last seen dead in a shell hole in “No Man’s Land.”
Location of Unit at Time of Casualty: Somme.

BX April 17, 1917

Sergeant Victor Alvus Arding Killed in Action

Mrs. Arding has received word that her husband, Sergt. Victor Alvus Arding, who was reported missing, was killed in action on Nov. 18th last. Sergeant Arding enlisted with the 75th Battalion in Toronto, and went overseas in March 1916, and had seen considerable fighting. Deceased was in his 26th year and was born in Reading, Berkshire, Eng. He came to Canada about five years ago, and had resided in Toronto. He leaves a widow and little daughter to mourn his loss. Mrs. Arding has lived in Paris with her mother, Mrs. Slater, since her husband went overseas.

Toronto Star December 7, 1916

Corp. John Arding Killed

Corp. John Arding, one of three brothers who joined the colors for active service, has been killed in action, according to official word received by his wife at New Toronto. As members of the Mississauga Horse, John Arding and his brother, Victor joined the 75th Battalion. The two left Toronto in March. In September John was reported as wounded in the thigh when a bomb exploded. A month later his brother was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery in the search for the bodies of Lieuts. Howard and Devlin. The third brother, Thomas, is now serving with the Navy.

John Arding was a native of Berkshire, England, 31 years old and before enlistment had been employed as a fireman in New Toronto.

Toronto Star December 15, 1916

Brothers Are Separated

Within a week Corp. John Arding has been reported killed in action, and his brother, Sergt. Victor Arding mentioned among the missing. Both enlisted together from their homes in New Toronto in the 75th Battalion as members of the 9th Mississauga Horse. The elder brother John was wounded in September, and killed in action two months later. In October his brother was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery.

Sergt. Arding was employed as a fireman at Ritchie and Ramsay’s plant in New Toronto. He has seen service in both India and South Africa, where he fought with the 12th Lancers. His wife is now living in Paris, Ont.

John Arding was 32 years old, and had also been employed as a fireman before enlistment. Like the younger boy, he was a veteran of the Imperial forces. A third brother is with the naval forces.

Note: John Arding (139009) - Not Considered Brant County War Dead