Arthur was born in Boughton Aluph, Kent on 16th April 1888 to parents James and Kate, one of twelve children and baptised on the 24th June 1888.
He was first recorded on the 1891 census aged 2, living with his family in the parish he was born. 10 years later he worked as a farm boy, aged 13, his older brothers Harold and James in apprenticeships as a blacksmiths and wheelwrights. The family had moved to Brenchley, Kent.
He worked as a Blacksmith at his father's business, aged 22, written on the 1911 census - he lived at Poplar House, Newchurch, Romney Marsh, with his parents and a varying age of siblings, the youngest just six.
For reasons unknown he joined the Royal Navy on 18th March 1913 for 12 years service, noted as being 5'9" tall, had auburn hair and grey eyes. He trained at Pembroke II until 31st January 1914 and embarked to his only ship, HMS Vanguard, on 1st February 1914.
Arthur must have managed to get some leave time during his posting as he married Mildred Philpott in September 1915 - He was aboard the ship again during the Battle of Jutland in May 1916...but never made it home again.
His Star, Victory and British war medals and pension were claimed by his widow after his death.
(#202 - 480/843)
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - FreeBMD
England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975
1891, 1901 & 1911 England Census
Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services, 1848-1939 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services; Class: ADM 188; Piece: 1029
England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915 - FreeBMD
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty: Naval Casualties, Indexes, War Grave Rolls and Statistics Book, First World War.; Class: ADM 242; Piece: 009 (1914 - 1919)
CWGC Register
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/9; Scan Number: 0137
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 117/0567/LIN-LIS
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty and predecessors: Office of the Director General of the Medical Department of the Navy and predecessors: Service Registers and Registers of Deaths and Injuries. Registers of Reports of Deaths
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 108
Kent Messenger & Gravesend Telegraph/BNA