Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | Leeds (Lawns Wood) Cemetery | Screen Wall. A. 254. | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.125 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 25A GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | |||
Family :
ARTHUR FRANK HESS was the eldest son of Dr. Adolph Hess, of Leeds,and of Flora his wife, of Courtfield Gardens, Kensington.
Education & Career :
He attended Leeds Grammar School from 1894, but left to attend Rugby School. He entered Rugby School in 1899 and left in 1902.
He went to Lincoln College, Oxford, in 1903, and after taking his degree he entered his father's firm.
He became a director of this in 1912, and was also a director of the Universal Oil Company, London.
Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 8/West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) |
| Action : No Data |
No Data has been recorded for the final action, because none has yet been found. If you have any information to offer, please contact the Project Team so we can add.
On the outbreak of War he was appointed Senior A.D.C. to Major-
General T. S. Baldock, C.B., Divisional Commander of the 49th Division,
and went to France in April, 1915. Shortly afterwards he received his
Majority, and in August rejoined his Battalion, the 8th West Yorks. He
was wounded at Ypres in August, 1915, but rejoined six weeks later.
Detail :
He remained with his Battalion until he was wounded again, at Thiepval, on
July ist, 1916. A piece of shrapnel pierced his lung, and he was also
gassed. He died in hospital in London on July 14th, 1916. Age 31.
Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer 7th July 1916 reports that Arthur is wounded:
"MAJOR ARTHUR FRANK HESS West Yorkshire Regt., is reported to have been wounded, degree not stated, on July 1. He is about 31, and the eldest son of the late Dr. Hess, of South Kensington. Major Hess is a director of Adolph Hess and Brother (Limited), oil manufacturers of Leeds. He has served in the territorials for several years, and for some time after the outbreak of war he was attached to General Baldock's divisional staff as adjutant."
The Leeds Mercury 17th July 1916 continues the story now reporting Arthur's death:
"Leeds Men Who Have Fallen. One of the Leeds Rifles' oldest officers in point of service, Major Arthur Frank Hess, who has been previously reported wounded, has now died from his wounds in London. He was only thirty-one year of age, but had been actively connected with the Leeds Volunteers and Territorials for some fifteen years. He was a director of Adolph and Brother Limited, oil manufacturers, of Leeds."
He died of his wounds at Queen Alexandra's Hospital for Officers, London.
Driffield Times 22nd July 1916 records his funeral:
"OFFICER's FUNERAL. - An impressive military funeral took place at Leeds, on Tuesday, whent he remains of Major Arthur Frank Hess, eldest son of the late Dr. Adolf Hess, of Leeds and Filey, were laid to rest at Lawnswood Cemetery. Major Hess was seriously wounded on the first day of the great advance in France and died in a military hospital in England on Friday last. The body was met at the Midland Station by a gun-carriage, firing party, and escort furnished by the Royal Artillery, the gun team being ridden by officers of the same rank as the deceased. A large number of wreaths was carried by a party of soldiers following immediately after the gun-carriage. The principal mourners included Mrs. Adolph Hess (mother), and her three soldier sons, Capt. John M.L. Hess, Lieut. Eric H.S. Hess, and Lieut. Norman Hes, and her daughter Miss Alice Hess, Miss Dorothy M. Hess, Miss Stephanie Hess, and Miss Emmie Hess. Other member of the family present were Mr. and Mrs Julius Hess, Miss Florence A. Hess, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard hess. Amongst those present at the service were Mr. Fred Wardle, Mr. G.W. Atkinson, Mr. H. Cooke, Mr. C. Clarke, Mr Clifford Bowling, Mr. Roscoe, Mr. Hunter. The service in the chapel was conducted by an Army Chaplain, and at the graveside by the Rev. Canon Cooper, vicar of Filey."
His name appears in the book "Serre: Somme" by Jack Horsfall, Nigel Cave
Citations & Commemorations :
Major-General Baldocli wrote :—so willing and so business-like. Very even-tempered, he never allowed the
hundred and one jobs which fell to his lot to ruffle him. He was an
excellent A.D.C. in every way."
Major-General E. M. Perceval, C.B., D.S.O., wrote :—
"I consider that his death means a great loss to the Division, as he was
undoubtedly a very gallant and able Officer. Whatever duty he had
to perform was well done, and his coolness and cheerfulness in trying circumstances were very noticeable. He set a fine example to his brother
Officers and his men, who all admired him and were fond of him."
His Colonel said of him :—
" He was one of my most useful and reliable Officers, and was always very bright and full of energy. He was a great favourite alike with his brother Officers and men, and we shall all miss him."
The Senior Chaplain of the Division bore witness to his invariable courtesy and helpfulness, and Subaltern Officers also expressed their appreciation of his character.
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Felix No. 1494 E.C. | Middlesex |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
3rd May 1913 | 1st November 1913 | 7th March 1914 |
Chemical Manufacturer, Kensington (1913).
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley