Arthur Craven
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Arthur was born in 1895 in The Meadows, Nottingham and was the son of Arthur Wellesley a mineral water bottler and Mary Jane Craven née Keetley. His father Arthur Wellesley was born in 1865 in Radford, his mother Mary Jane Keetley was born in 1871 in Carrington. They were married in 1890, their marriage was recorded in the Nottingham Registration district. They went on to have a large family of 11 children; sadly however 2 of the children died in infancy or childhood before 1911. All the children were born in the Meadows, Nottingham and were, Edith b1891, Gertrude b1893, Arthur b1895, Mary Evelyn b1898, Elsie b1902, Frank b1903, Doris b1905, Alfred b1908 and Harold b1910. In the 1911 census the family are living at 84 Cremorne Street Nottingham and are shown as:- Arthur Wellesley 46 yrs head of the family a mineral water bottler; he is living with his wife Mary Jne 40 yrs and their 9 children:- Edith 20 yrs a shirt ironer in a laundry, Gertrude 18 yrs a collar ironer in a laundry, Arthur 16 yrs a mineral water labourer, Mary Evelyn 13 yrs a scholar, Elsie 9 yrs, Frank 8 yrs, Doris 6 yrs, Alfred 3 yrs and Harold 1 yr.
Arthur enlisted on 29th June 1915, in Nottingham; he gave his age as 20 years and 7 months and his address as 84 Cremorne Street, Nottingham, his occupation was given as that of a bottler. He was sent to Winchester barracks on 2nd July 1915 and served with the 2nd battalion Rifle Brigade. He went out to France to join the British Expeditionary Force on 7th October 1915 and was killed in action between 22nd and 24th October 1916. Having no known grave, he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
Obituaries from the 'Nottingham Evening Post,' dated 24th October 1917: - “CRAVEN. – In loving memory of our son and brother Rifleman Arthur Craven, Rifle Brigade, killed in action in France, October 24th, 1916, aged 22. Days and night still hold their sadness. Tears in silence often flow, thinking dear of how we lost you, just one little year ago. – From his loving mother and father, sisters, and brothers. “CRAVEN. – In loving memory of our dear brother, Rifleman Arthur Craven, Rifle Brigade, killed in action in France, October 24th, 1916, aged 22. We never thought when we said good-bye, it was for ever, and you were to die; too far away your grave to see, but not too far to think of thee. – From his loving sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Dids Houlton.” Above obituaries courtesy of Jim Grundy and his face book pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 'All Saints Church News, July 1919: The following have not previously been reported in the Church News. 'Arthur Craven, 59 Gamble Street, Rifleman 2nd Rifle Brigade, killed in action between 22nd and 24th October 1916, aged 22.' (Nottinghamshire Archives, ref. PR.28/237)
No Photos