Arthur William Dalton
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
He was the eldest son of Arthur and Annie Elizabeth Dalton and the grandson of William Watts. At the time of the 1901 census Arthur, an engineering merchant, and Ann with their four children, Violet (10), Arthur William (8, b.abt 1893), Elsie (6) and Phyllis (2), were living at 39 St Ann's Well Road. In 1911 Arthur and Anne were living at Cranmer House, 5 Cranmer Grove, Nottingham, with their children; Violet Anne (20), Arthur William (18), Elsie Mawer (16), Phyllis Mary (12), Cyril Watts (9), Mabel Elizabeth (6), Charles Vernon (3) and George Henry (1).
Army service record survives. He attested for 4 years service with the Territorial Force (7th Bn Sherwood Foresters) on 20 February 1913 when he was 20 years old. Embodied service counted from 5 August 1914 and he served at home until 28 February 1915 when he arrived in France. On 31 May 1915 he was taken to the No 8 Casualty Clearing Station and transferred the following day to a military hospital in Boulogne, with a gun shot wound to the left foot; he rejoined his battalion on 20 June. He died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. In total he served 3 years and 132 days, including territorial time.
Inscription family headstone Nottingham Church (Rock) Cemetery: 'In loving memory of Arthur William Dalton, 1st Robin Hood Rifles, eldest son of Arthur Lowe and Annie Elizabeth Dalton, and grandson of William Watts. Killed in action July 1st 1916, at the Battle of the Somme, aged 24 years.'
