LEATHERHEAD WAR MEMORIALS - WWI
Able Seaman Arthur Albert Fillery
H.M.S. Gadfly
Town Memorial P3.R2.C1.
Taken, Not Given
A B SeamanArthur A Fillery
HMS Dalhousie
Mesopotamia
Aug 22 1917
Once again recourse has to be made to the May 1915 issue the Parish magazine. (1)
This shows that at that time Arthur Fillery was serving aboard HMS Blenheim, a destroyer depot ship, then involved in the Dardanelles operation (see Chief Petty Officer George Langworthy).
On 29 July 1917, the log of HMS Dalhousie, a depot ship, in Basra, notes that she was joined by Arthur Fillery, rated as an Able Seaman, from HMS Gadfly, one of the shallow draught gunboats operating on the Mesopotamian rivers against the Turks. (2)
Dalhousie was very much a transit camp. She had Indian and Goanese ratings as well as British, and was commanded by Captain G.V. Knox R.N. Men joined from the river gunboats, or on arrival from India, or in some cases from detention.
Basra is a notoriously unhealthy place and subject to one of the worst climates in the world. On board Dalhousie there was a daily issue of quinine, an indication of the prevalence of malaria.
The next entry in the log (2) about Arthur Fillery concerns his death on 22 August. It records that 'T' Fillery AB of Gadfly had died of heat-stroke in No.3 B.G.H. (British General Hospital) and was "discharged" the same day (in the 1914-18 Navy one was still discharged dead).
This must have been very sudden because there is no prior notice of transfer to hospital as in other cases.
On Thursday 23 August,the log notes the landing of the funeral party at 5 p.m. and their return two hours later.
Notes on sources
1. List in Parish magazine of St Mary and Saint Nicholas, Leatherhead, issue of May 1915 (courtesy of Mr L Anstee of the parish).
2. File ADH 53/39403 – Log of HMS Dalhousie, Public Record Office, Richmond, Kew.
Stop press
Graves of the British Empire, published by the Imperial War Graves Commission gives Navy number as J/3654 and he is buried in Plot 1 A 14, Basra War Cemetery.
Further research
Able SeamanFILLERY, A A
Service Number J/3654
Died 22/08/1917
H.M.S. "Gadfly."
Royal Navy
Buried at BASRA WAR CEMETERY
Location: Iraq
Cemetery/memorial reference: I. A. 14.
He joined the Royal Navy on 30 December 1910, signing on for 12 years, service number J3654. The Town Memorial says he was on HMS Dalhousie, the CWGC record says HMS Gadfly. He also served on HMS Scorpion (Pembroke I) with the Grand Fleet and HMS Blenheim at the Dardanelles. His Royal Navy records include the information that he had a tattoo 'Ada'.
The Leatherhead Parish Magazines listed the Fillerys in recording who was serving in the Forces. In Arthur's case:
October 1914, July 1915, and October
1915
A. In the Fleet and at the Front.
Fillery, A. A., H.M.S. Blenheim
A. In the Fleet and at the Front.
Fillery, A. A., H.M.S. Blenheim
January and March 1916
In the Fleet and at the Front.
Fillery, A. A., H.M.S. Scorpion
In the Fleet and at the Front.
Fillery, A. A., H.M.S. Scorpion
September 1917
FOR KING AND COUNTRY.
The following have given their lives for their country :—
...
Aug. 25. Arthur Albert Fillery, Able Seaman, R.N.
FOR KING AND COUNTRY.
The following have given their lives for their country :—
...
Aug. 25. Arthur Albert Fillery, Able Seaman, R.N.
Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser
Saturday 13 November 1915
| LEATHERHEAD
& THE WAR FATHER AND THREE SONS SERVING There are not many places in the country which can boast of father and three sons serving in the Forces at the same time, but Leatherhead is able to claim that distinction, Pte T. H. Fillery, of Fairfield, Leatherhead, and his three sons all being with the colours at the present time. PTE T. H. FILLERY. Pte T. H. Fillery is a veteran, having served many years in the Army, his battalion being in India for nearly ten years. He was an old pensioner, but on the outbreak of the war he soon returned to the service again, and is with a detachment of the 2/5th East Surrey Regiment at Paddington. |
 |
| GUNNER
A. A. FILLERY. A. A. Fillery has been in the Navy about nine years, and is now leading gunner on H.M.S. "Scorpion," which is attached to the Grand Fleet. Pte T. H. Fillery has also been in the service some years, and is now with the R.A.M.C. at Prospect Barracks, Bermuda, where he has been stationed for upwards of three years. |
 |
| LCE-CORPL.
L. FILLERY. Lce-Corpl, J. L. Fillery joined the 2nd Batt. The Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment soon after the outbreak of the war, and had been in France with his regiment since last June. |
 |
Surrey Advertiser
Saturday 8 September 1917
DEATH FROM HEAT-STROKE.
Mr. T. Fillery, Fairfield. Leatherhead, has received news from the Admiralty that his son, Able-Seaman Arthur Fillery, died from a heat stroke on Aug. 22. Deceased, who had been in the Navy over nine years, came home about 12 months ago after having been at the Dardanelles for two years. Since that time his ship has been in foreign waters.
Mr. T. Fillery, Fairfield. Leatherhead, has received news from the Admiralty that his son, Able-Seaman Arthur Fillery, died from a heat stroke on Aug. 22. Deceased, who had been in the Navy over nine years, came home about 12 months ago after having been at the Dardanelles for two years. Since that time his ship has been in foreign waters.
On the same day a field card was received
from Corpl. Jack Fillery, The Queen’s Regt., another son, to say he had
been admitted to a base hospital; and recently Mr. Fillery’s daughter
heard that her husband, Gunner Harry Winch, R.F.A., had been wounded.
Besides having four sons and son-in-law serving, Mr. Fillery has put in
over two years service with the National Reserve, and received his
discharge last June.
[Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser
Saturday 21 October 1916
Saturday 21 October 1916
THE CASUALTY LIST.
The following casualties have been
reported:
IN THE RANKS
WOUNDED.
...
4447 Pte. J. Fillery (Leatherhead) ]
IN THE RANKS
WOUNDED.
...
4447 Pte. J. Fillery (Leatherhead) ]
Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser
Saturday 29 December 1917
... list which present has been compiled
from the names that have been recorded in our Columns during the past
year....
SEPTEMBER
FILLERY, Able Seaman, died from heat stroke, son of Mr. T. Fillery, Fairfield, Leatherhead.
SEPTEMBER
FILLERY, Able Seaman, died from heat stroke, son of Mr. T. Fillery, Fairfield, Leatherhead.
Saturday 16 February 1918
A CONSOLING LETTER
Mr. J. Fillery, Fairfield. Leatherhead, has received the following letter from a naval officer in regard the death of his son, Able Seaman Fillery, who died suddenly from heat stroke while serving with his ship in foreign waters: "In addition to the Admiralty notification of the death your son from heat stroke, it has occurred that you would like hear such few details as are available of his last illness and its unhappy termination.
Mr. J. Fillery, Fairfield. Leatherhead, has received the following letter from a naval officer in regard the death of his son, Able Seaman Fillery, who died suddenly from heat stroke while serving with his ship in foreign waters: "In addition to the Admiralty notification of the death your son from heat stroke, it has occurred that you would like hear such few details as are available of his last illness and its unhappy termination.
Your boy seemed in his usual health in the
morning but about mid-day complained of not being too fit, and rested in
a well shaded spot. One his men companions took him his dinner, but he
did not eat it, confining himself to a glass cold water. Later he said
he felt much better, and debated whether he would go to afternoon tea.
He decided not to, and it was just about half hour later that the
seizure occurred.
He became suddenly unconscious, and the
doctor immediately called. In the meantime ice was supplied, and
the proper treatment for anyone suffering from a heat attack promptly
resorted to. The doctor found his temperature excessively high, and I
regret entertained small hope of recovery from the beginning.
Fortunately every facility for the
treatment of the case was at hand, and within an hour your son was in a
general hospital. You may rest assured that everything possible was
done, but your boy never recovered consciousness, and passed away at one
o'clock the following morning. It may be some small consolation to you
to know that suffered no pain, being in comatose state from the time of
the seizure until he breathed his last.
In the cool of the evening he was laid to
rest in the cemetery at Nlakin [sic - Makina] among the palms. The
service was conducted by an Anglican clergyman, and six of his comrades
acted as pall bearers, while twenty others from various boats formed a
guard of honour, in the military firing party. You have the satisfaction
of knowing that as much anyone who has lost his life in the front
trenches your son gave his life for his country - the supreme sacrifice
that very many have been called on to make during this war. The sympathy
of his comrades goes out to you in your affliction."
That letter may be why the local paper recorded his death again in 1918:
Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser
Saturday 28 December 1918
1918 ROLL OF HONOUR.
THE YEAR’S RECORD OF THE BRAVE FALLEN.
FEBRUARY
FILLERY. A.B., died from heat stroke when serving in foreign waters, son of Mr. T. Fillery, the Fairfield, Leatherhead.
THE YEAR’S RECORD OF THE BRAVE FALLEN.
FEBRUARY
FILLERY. A.B., died from heat stroke when serving in foreign waters, son of Mr. T. Fillery, the Fairfield, Leatherhead.
His life
Arthur was born on 30 December 1892 and baptised at St Mary & St Nicholas, the Parish Church of Leatherhead, on 26 February 1893.His father was Thomas Henry Fillery, from Westcott, Dorking. His birth was registered at Dorking in July 1860. He was the son of Henry Fillery (1801-1869) and Charlotte Wright(1818-1901). Thomas was an Army man, serving with the 1st Bn, 2nd Queens Royal Regiment, entitled to a pension. In the 1891 Census he was a Coal Porter, in 1901 he was described as a Bricklayers Labourer and in 1911 as a Road Worker.
His death was registered at Epsom in July 1921.
His mother was Mary Elizabeth Fillery née Pimm. She was born in India and baptised at Tripatore, Madras on 25 May 1869. Four years later her mother Ann née Collier died.
Arthur's parents were married on 4 July 1891 at Leatherhead Parish Church.
His siblings were Thomas Henry (1891-1950) and Thomas's twin, John Leonard (1891-1947); Florence Caroline Anne (1896-1958), James William b 1898.
The family lived in Days Cottages, Leatherhead (1891); Bridge Street, Leatherhead (1893); Barnet Wood Lane, Leatherhead (1894); King's Head Alley, High Street, Leatherhead (from 1897).
When his mother died on 29 May 1916 at Leatherhead Cottage Hospital her funeral was reported in a local newspaper on June 3 1916:
Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser
Saturday 03 June 1916
DEATH AT THE COTTAGE HOSPITAL
The death occurred at the Cottage Hospital on Monday of Mrs Fillery of King's Head-alley Leatherhead, whose husband and three sons are serving at the present time in the forces. The funeral took place at the Leatherhead Churchyard on Wednesday afternoon. Pte. T Fillery desires to thank the many friends who have shown him and his family so much sympathy in their bereavement.
The death occurred at the Cottage Hospital on Monday of Mrs Fillery of King's Head-alley Leatherhead, whose husband and three sons are serving at the present time in the forces. The funeral took place at the Leatherhead Churchyard on Wednesday afternoon. Pte. T Fillery desires to thank the many friends who have shown him and his family so much sympathy in their bereavement.
After the war
At least by 1921, the year of his death, his father was living at Brickbat Alley, on the opposite side of the High Street, Leatherhead, Surrey to King's Head Alley.Arthur Fillery is remembered on these memorials
Leatherhead Town Memorial
Leatherhead RBL Roll of Honour, Leatherhead Parish Church
Ladies War Shrine, Leatherhead Parish Church
Church Lads Brigade Memorial Tryptich, All Saints Leatherhead
Surrey in the Great War
the website editor would like to add
further information on this casualty
e.g. a photo of his headstone, and any recollections of him
last updated 2 Aug 20