Arthur was born in Galley Hill, Swanscombe, Kent on 29th March 1890. A year later, recorded in the 1891 census, Arthur was the youngest of 4 boys to parents Thomas and Elizabeth and all lived at 8 Albert Terrace in Swanscombe.
10 years later the family lived in Northfleet, Gravesend with the addition of another 2 brothers for Arthur.
Aged 21, in the 1911 census, Arthur was still living with his parents and brothers, their house situated within the grounds of Ingress Abbey, Greenhithe, Kent. He worked as a general labourer at the local Imperial Paper Mill, alongside all of his brothers who all had various occupations within the company. That same spring though, Arthur got married.
He joined the Navy on 28th November 1916, signing up for the duration of the hostilities. He measured 5'6" tall with grey hair and blue eyes and began his training as a Stoker 2nd Class at HMS PEMBROKE II until 25th February 1917 - his labouring work setting him in good stead to be a stoker on a Battleship.
Arthur was sent to join HMS VANGUARD on 26th February 1917, spending only a few months aboard - he left a widow Annie and their young daughter Kathleen.
#246 - 660/843
Sources:
1891, 1901 and 1911 England census
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - FreeBMD
England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915 - FreeBMD
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: 943
CWGC Register
Publication: War; Publication Place: Uk; URL: http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Kent/GravesendImperialPaperMills.html
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: Piece 010; Piece Description: Piece 010 (1914 - 1919)
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/10; Scan Number: 0218
UK, WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; Pension Record Cards; Reference: 164/0809/RUS-RUS
Photo courtesy of Kent Messenger, British Library
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