Arthur Rush was born in Thame in the autumn of 1880 to parents James and Jane Rush, living in North Street. Upon the death of his father in 1895, his mother married William Eggleton, and by 1911 the family had moved to Wellington Street. In December 1897, Arthur joined the 4th Battalion (Territorial Force) of the Oxf & Bucks Light Infantry, his service record showing he was slight in stature, being only 5ft 2ins tall and 7½ stone in weight. However, by 1899 he left the battalion.

Working as a general labourer, at some stage before the war he re-enlisted with the regiment, his service number 8866 suggests this was with the “Special Reserve” battalion which had been formed in 1908. On the outbreak of WW1, men in this battalion formed the nucleus for reinforcements into the regular battalions and Arthur was posted to serve with the 2nd battalion.

Having been made up to Lance Corporal he was with the battalion when on 28th April 1917 they took part in the attack to capture the villages of Arleux and Oppy, a precursor to the main Arras offensive a few days later. Heavy casualties were sustained, L/Cpl Rush being wounded and subsequently dying of his wounds on the 30th April, age 26.

He is buried in the Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, a few miles west of Arras. In Thame he his remembered on the War Memorial and also the memorial boards for St Mary’s church and All Saints church.