Arthur Felix Behrend
Born:
19 Elul 5655 (08 September 1895)
Basic Information
Birth
Date of birth:
19 Elul 5655 (08 September 1895)
Death
Place of death:
Wirral, Cheshire
Places
Addresses
22 Bentley Road Liverpool (1901)
38 Princes Road Liverpool (1919)
Schools
Name:
Hart House, Sedbergh School
The Helles Campaign
12 May 1915
Gradually the Helles campaign took on the character of trench warfare.
Second Lieutenant Arthur Behrend recalled a typical incident.
"The morning and afternoon passed without incident. After tea we were lightly shelled; we crouched in our dugouts wondering why our artillery didn't reply and if the next one would come any nearer. The ground shook and trembled; showers of earth , or 'nast' as the men called it, trickled down my neck. There were no casualties in my platoon. At dusk the shelling had apparently ceased, and I went along the trench to battalion headquarters to talk to the Adjutant. They were situated in a ruined cottage known as the Brown House, and while he and I were standing in the little garden at the back an unexpected shell bust in the midst of a group of orderlies a dozen yards away, and I have a sharp picture lit by the glare of the bursting shell, of the cracked walls of the Brown House and of men throwing up arms to shield their faces. I found myself on the ground, but whether I was knocked down by the blast or if it was merely that my knees gave way I cannot say."
https://www.gallipoli-association.org/on-this-day/may/12/
Reenlisting
Arthur reenlisted with the Lancashire and Cheshire Royal Garrison Artillery in December 1921.
He served with this regiment in the Second World War, reaching rank of Colonel.
A Published Author
Arthur wrote two books about his experiences of the First World War:
'Make me a Soldier: A Platoon Commander in Gallipoli' published in 1961
'As from Kemmel Hill: An Adjutant in France and Flanders 1917 & 1918' published in 1963
Family
Spouse
Christian Mary Barclay Welsh (female)
Place of marriage:
Liverpool, 1925
Parents
Mother: Amy Frances Behrend (female)
Father: Adolph Katz (male)
Military Record
Date discharged/death:
12 April 1920
Rank at discharge/death:
Captain
Assignments
Regiment:
East Lancashire Regiment
Battalion/unit:
1/4th Battalion
Medals:
Mentioned in Despatches 11/11/1915
Regiment:
Royal Garrison Artillery
Battalion/unit:
279th Siege Battery, 90th Heavy Brigade
Campaigns:
France and Flanders
Medals:
Mentioned in Despatches 20/12/1918
British War
Victory
1914 Star
Gallery