Newcastle Journal Monday 20/06/1915
Arthur John Flintoff was born in Alnwick on the 17th March 1886, and was the 5th son of the late Churchill Flintoff, of Hill House, Alnwick, Northumberland, Dentist, and his wife Susan H, (West House, Heighington, Darlington) daughter of the Reverend Francis P. Gladwin, Miss. [sic]
Arthur was educated at Alnwick Grammar School and the Duke's Middle School. He also attended the Padcroft School at West Drayton.
Arthur went to Australia in 1909.
On his application form for Enrolment he was residing at 35 Derby Street, Watson's Bay, Sydney, Australia.
On the outbreak of war, he joined the Australian Imperial Force on the 12th November 1914, and was aged 28 years 7 months, his profession was described as a Labourer. He had enlisted at Rosehill, which is in New South Wales. Arthur's physical description was stated as 5 feet 6 and a half inches tall, brown hair with brown eyes and dark complexion.
On the 22nd December 1914 he embarked at Melbourne on the H.M.A.T Themistocles.
Going to Egypt in April 1915, then on to the Dardanelles where he was killed in action on the 1st May 1915, now in 'C' Company, 4th Battalion.
In his service records is a letter from Arthur's sister, Beatrice, sent from West House, Heighington, S. O. Co Durham, January 24th 1916 which reads:-Dear Sir, I am writing re my brother Private A.J. Flintoff ho was killed on May 1st at the Dardanelles. My mother wrote to the commanding officer at Cairo as you suggested and was told his effects would be sent through Messrs Thomas Cook & Sons at an early date & a statement of his monetary affairs from Melbourne. We have written to Messrs T. Cook & Sons & they await orders from the Government.
As we have heard nothing further we are wondering why there is such a delay. Perhaps you can do something for us as Mother would value anything he had in his pockets.
Yours truly signed Beatrice Flintoff.
In response to this letter, the Australian Military Office replied back, after a few months stating that the only personal effects were his Disc which had previously been sent to his girlfriend, [which had been delivered by Thomas Cook and Son and signed for on the 20th May 1916], a Miss Dora Read of 35 Derby Street, Watsons Bay, Sydney, Australia. Arthur had left a will which read:- April 23rd 1915. In the event of my death I leave and give the whole of my property and effects to Miss Dora Read, 35 Derby Street, Watson's Bay, Sydney. Australia.
Signed Private No 1121, D Coy. 6th Battalion, 1st Brigade A.I.F.
In the will there was a money order paid to Dora for £9 3s 10p on the 25th January 1916.
De Ruvigny Roll of Honour
Morpeth Herald 02/07/1915 carries a brief obituary:
Arthur John Flintoff, youngest son of the late Mr Churchill Flintoff, Alnwick, has been killed in action in the Dardanelles. The deceased, while in Alnwick, was prominently identified with the Percy Rovers Football Club and other athletic institutions.
Arthur John Flintoff is remembered in Alnwick on A11.16.
Embarkation Rolls for HMAT Themistocles A32
His Majesty's Transport Ships
The CWGC entry for Private Flintoff