Private Arthur James Dye trained for six years with the 24th. Kent Regiment, Chatham, Ontario.

Private Arthur James Dye enlisted at the first call for men, leaving Chatham for Valcartier, August 22nd, 1914, and going overseas in September 1914. After six months training at Salisbury Plains, he crossed to France in February, 1915, At the battle of Ypres, April 23rd, 1916, Private Dye received a gunshot wound in the knee, and after six months hospital treatment, was attached to the C.A.M.C. being unfit for further trench service. October 5th, 1916, he returned to Canada in charge of wounded soldiers, but crossed again to England November 8th, 1916, being stationed at Shorncliffe Hospital, as orderly. He was taken ill December 8th, 1917, suffering with rheumatism and kidney trouble, and invalided to Canada April 28th, 1918, receiving further hospital treatment in London and Guelph Military Hospitals.

Private Arthur J. Dye received his discharge September 7th, 1918, being medically unfit for further military service.

 Regimental number: 6677 Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 2788 – 6 Item 371133.

Date of Birth 22/03/188 

Arthur came to Canada from Middlesex, England. He had service in the military while in England. He was living at 56 Dover Street, Chatham with his wife Martha Louisa and young children, he was working as a carpenter, when he enlisted 24 September 1914, at Valcatier. It seems they later moved to 152 Colborne Street, Chatham, ON. [This would have been during what is now known as the 2nd Battle of Ypres which began on the 23^rd of April 1914, the first use of poison gas on the Western Front.] JRH.

The wife of Pte Dye received news that he had been wounded by telegram from the Adjutant General in Ottawa and was reported in the Chatham Daily Planet 30/04/1915. 

In two letters to his wife Martha, from No. 3, Southern Hospital, Ward 6, Oxford, England, published in the Chatham Daily Planet 20/05/1915. “I am very pleased to say that I am very well at present. I am glad to be able to tell you that my leg is getting along all O.K. I do not suffer a great deal.”  Pte. Dye had been hit in the knee by a German’s bullet which resulted in his being evacuated to England where he would spend the next sixteen weeks at the Canadian hospital at Shorncliffe 

“I will be glad when this war is all over. It does seem a long while since I left Chatham.” Like so many men gone from their families and now having experienced the horrors of the battlefield Arthur’s attention is clearly on home in his closing. “Well give all my children a loving kiss and tell them that Daddy hopes that they are all good children.”  

The second letter dated the 5^th of May he starts with the condition of his wound, “I am glad to say that my wound is healing nicely, but I have to stay in bed all of the time. I shall be glad when I get up and try to walk around.” He is sorry that he’s left Martha home alone, “I thought I should have been home long before this.” We would have never though the war would still have three years to go 

He says he is getting the best of care and the Red Cross ladies can’t do enough for them but all of this is no substitute for home. “You need not worry about me being here, all of the attention in the world cannot make up for a craving to see you and the children. I hope it will be soon. 

Arthur Dye’s journey from Chatham, across the Atlantic to the battlefield of Ypres and Givenchy with the “Fighting first came full circle at 12:50 the 10^th of October 1916 when the C.P.R train pulled into the Chatham station. 

He had been returned to Canada with three other first battalion men who were in charge of a number of ‘stretcher cases’ who were placed in hospital in Halifax before Arthur went on to Chatham. He said that wherever possible the Military authorities would place casualties returning to Canada in charge of First Battalion men to give them an opportunity of visiting their relatives and friends before returning to duty 

A happy reunion with his wife and children awaited the returning hero, a victim of German gas, the Private had been convalescing in England prior to his return. Also at the station were Chatham Mayor Foreman and Alderman Clements to extend a civic welcome home. Fittingly, two of  Arthur comrades, Sergeant Perrin and Pte. Joe Ivison, who had boarded the train with Arthur leaving for the war and who were recently returned, were also at the station 

After a warm welcome at the station Arthur and his family were placed in the a taxi and taken to their home on Wellington Street, thus ended one soldiers war for King and Empire. Chatham Daily Planet 10/10/1916.

Pte Dye had not received his discharge and he expected that he would be recalled to continue his duties at Shorncliffe hospital. He had fully recovered from his wounds and appeared to be in good health and enjoying the opportunity to visit with his family and look up old friends. Chatham Daily Planet 11/10/1916.

Arthur James Dye died 11 February, 1958 and is buried with his wife Martha Louise Goodboy in Maple Leaf Cemetery, Chatham, ON., block S, lot 185. 

See Attestation record DYE J 6677 copied.

Nominal Roll D-Company, 13 Platoon  1^st Canadian Infantry Battalion. 17/02/15

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

IODE, Chatham Daily Planet (30-04-1915), Chatham Daily Planet (20-05-1915), Chatham Daily Planet (11-10-1916), Chatham Daily Planet (10-11-1916), Discharged - Medically Unfit (07-09-1918), Centennial Chatham 1895-1995 - John Rhodes

Height	5' 6''
Eye Colour	Blue
Age	38
Complexion	Fair
Hair	Fair
Race	White
Birthplace	Islington, England
Religion	Baptist
Last Place of Employment	J. Oldershaw Cement Company
Average Earnings	$13.50
Marital Status	Married
Marriage Info	June 25th, 1905, St.Mark's Church London, England
When Enlisted	August 10th, 1914
Where Enlisted	Chatham, Ontario
Allowance from Patriotic Fund	$30.00 per month
Next of Kin	Wife- Mrs. Martha L. Dye, Chatham, Children- Margaret Dye, Ada Dye, William Dye, Joseph Dye, Alice Dye.

---

Notice something wrong with this record? Or, do you have something to add? Report it using our online form.