Private Arthur Cryer
L/16779 4th Battalion Royal Fusiliers
Died of Wounds 2nd April 1916
in France, aged 21
Lived at 15 Coal Clough Lane
Buried at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery France V111.D.90
Commemorated on the Holy Trinity Memorial
Burnley Express 8th April 1916

DIED FROM WOUNDS
BURNLEY SOLDIER’S PATIENCE AND BRAVERY (Burnley Express 8/4/1916)

Mrs. Cryer, of 15, Coal Clough Lane, Burnley, received word on Thursday evening that her son, Pte. Arthur Cryer, of the Royal Fusiliers, died in hospital on Sunday from injuries received in action. Pte, Cryer, who was 21 years of age on October 4th last, was formerly an engine cleaner at Rosegrove Station. He joined the King’s Own Hussars shortly after the outbreak of war, but later transferred to the infantry. Three weeks ago yesterday the young soldier wrote to his mother, who has recently been in hospital, regretting the fact that leave to Burnley had been stopped, but he asked his mother not to mind, as he might be able to get leave shortly. But immediately afterwards he went back to the trenches and on the Sunday received the wound which led to his death The sister at the hospital where he was wrote to tell Mrs. Cryer he was very ill indeed and that his wound had affected the use of his limbs. She added, “The nurses are so fond of him” .
When in Burnley Pte. Cryer attended Holy Trinty Church, and the news of his death was conveyed in a letter from the Rev. A. H. Balleine, Chaplain to the Forces, who was formerly at Holy Trinity. Mr. Balleine’s letter, which was dated April 2nd , said: “You will know before you receive this letter of the sad death of your son, Pte. Arthur Cryer, who passed away peacefully at 3 a.m. this morning. Please accept my deepest sympathy with you in your great loss. I hope that your sorrow may be in part lightened by your pride in the noble sacrifice which he has made for his country, and by the knowledge that had he lived his injuries were so grievous that he would only have lain in bed paralyzed for the rest of his life. I saw him constantly while he was in hospital, and shortly before his death was with him; he was glad to listen to the prayers we had together; he was quite conscious and clear-headed ; he sent his love to you and all at home ; happily he suffered little pain ; and he bore the weary days of lying helpless with much patience and bravery. You may be proud of the way in which he waited for the end. He will be buried on Tuesday morning in the cemetery in the portion reserved for the graves of British soldiers. I shall let you know later the number of the grave. It will be carefully looked after by the authorities, and can be easily identified if at any time after the war anyone may wish to visit it. Everything will be arranged with simple reverence. May God give you His comfort and strength to bear this great trouble.”
Pte. Cryer, whose father is dead, was Mrs. Cryer’s only son.