Arthur was born on 11th September 1899 in 6 Brook Street, Hanover Square, London to parents Charles (a physician surgeon) and Lucy with his baptism following six weeks later on 26th October. He was the middle child of three boys; on the 1901 census the family still resided at Brook Street with the assistance of seven employees for a variety of jobs such as a cook, domestic servant and nurse. By 1911 they had moved to 97 Gloucester Place, Portman Square, London and all three boys attended school.
Arthur joined the Navy in May 1912, training until August 1914 when he was appointed as a Midshipman on 2nd August 1914 on the cusp of world war beginning, a frightening but exciting time for a 14 year old.
He was posted to HMS ALBION until May 1916 as he was sent to Etretate in France on 22nd May 1916 to join his father - he returned to Chatham in October 1916 due to tonsillitis but recorded as unfit to return to duty until 22nd January 1917. He was discharged and posted to HMS VANGUARD on 19th February 1917 where he served for 5 months before his life was cut short.
He was awarded the Star, Victory and British war medals that were claimed by his father following his death.
(#15 - 230/843)
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906 London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; Reference Number: P69/BAT3/A/01/MS6778/6
Web: UK, Royal Naval Officers' Service Records Index, 1756-1931 - National Archives 196/122
1901 & 1911 England Census
UK, Navy Lists, 1888-1970 Peter Singlehurst; Year: 1916
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
CWGC Register
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 89
Photo source ~ The Vanguard Centenary booklet, The Orcadian.