Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

Private A Macro of the 3^rd Battalion, Norfolk Regiment passed through Peterborough East Station on 5 September 1916.  He wrote in the visitors’ book of “A Strange Coincidence” – “Lord Kitchener drowned after 666 days of war in 1916. News of his death on 6^th day of 6^th month 1916.  In his 66^th year.  Crew of the Hampshire 666 persons – that prominent figure 6.”  There was yet to be another coincidence involving the number six.  Sadly, Arthur died – on the sixth day of the sixth month 1918.  He was awarded the British War and Allied Victory Medals.

Arthur’s service records have not been traced, but we think he may be “Private 29278 Arthur Macro who originally enlisted with the service number, 27350 in the Norfolk Regiment in Norwich and later transferred to the 2/7 Warwickshire. He served in France and Flanders and was taken prisoner of war.  He died on 6 June 1918 aged 23. He is buried at Hamburg Cemetery and is remembered on the Great Ellingham War Memorial.”   http://bit.ly/2rqRW1M

Arthur married Emily Ethel Reeder in late 1916 and they lived at Long Street, Great Ellingham. They had a son, Kenneth, born in 1917.

Prior to World War 1, we have found a Short Service Attestation for Private 8715 Arthur Macro who joined the 1^st Battalion Norfolk Regiment on 11 September 1912.  He was 18 years old and an agricultural farm servant from Attleborough.  He gave his next of kin as his mother, Flora from Great Ellingham, Attleborough.  He was stationed at Norwich until January 1913 and then in Holywood, Belfast until May 1914.  However, he was discharged as no longer physically fit for war service although fit for employment in civil life on 2 May 1914.  Through further research we have found records for an Arthur Macro joining the same regiment during World War 1.  Due to the requirement for large numbers of soldiers, was he re-called although previously discharged as no longer fit?  Is this the same Arthur Macro?

Please get in touch if you can tell us more about Arthur Macro.