Arthur Frederick Botham

Posted on November 11, 2018 by Ant Stewart

1889 – 18^th June 1917. Royal Field Artillery (D Battalion, 6^th Brigade)

Arthur Frederick Botham was a fine rugby player who played across the country before the war. Born in Islington, London, Botham played for Manchester FC whilst he taught Mathematics at Shrewsbury School. He also regularly represented Cheshire before moving back south in January 1913 to teach at Tonbridge School. There, he joined Old Merchant Taylors, and also played for Middlesex.

He immediately enlisted with the Honourable Artillery Company upon the outbreak of war, and was sent to Egypt to be part of the defence of Suez. Later, he joined the Royal Field Artillery as a 2^nd Lieutenant, and went to the Western Front. Botham died on the 18^th June 1917. He was found wounded but still breathing, but he died on his way to the casualty clearing station.

Botham is buried in Lussenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave X111 A.2.

SOURCES
Tonbridge History
Manchester Guardian
World Rugby Museum
Shrewsbury School