William Artis

William Artis worked on his father’s Suffolk farm until joining the Army. He served with the Machine Gun Corps in World War I, and was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry in 1918. He later served with the Suffolk Yeomanry and reached the rank of major.

At the age of 14 Artis was involved in an accident that could have wiped out the family farm completely. He accidentally set fire to a cowshed, which resulted in extensive damage and a small loss of life to livestock. Upon his father’s death, Artis took over the running of the farm.

A keen rifleman, Artis was a member of the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs and in 1914 represented England in a tournament involving the four Home Countries, which England won. That same year, he represented England again, in an international match against the United States and Canada.

Artis enjoyed success at Bisley in 1928 when he helped Suffolk finish second in the Queen Alexandra Cup. He later had the honour of captaining the Suffolk county small-bore team, and was also secretary of the County Small-bore Club, honorary secretary of the Suffolk County Rifle Association, and was also a shooting umpire. After leaving the Army in the 1930s, Artis returned to running the family farm.