Arthur Leslie Arnold
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Arthur Leslie Arnold was born in 1889 at Southwell and was the son of George Alfred a lace curtain maker and Rose Arnold née Randall New Street,Southwell, Notts. Arthur's father George Alfred was born 24 December 1873, died 2 May 1951, and his mother Rose Randall was born 23 August 1870, died 4 August 1936 they were married on 25th May 1896 at Arkwright Street, Chapel, Nottingham they went on to have the following children, John Edwin b18989 Arthur Leslie b1899, Edith Emily b1903, Catherine Annie b1904 and George Irving b1910 all were born in Nottingham. In the 1911 census the family are living at New Street, Southwell and are shown as George Alfred Arnold 37 yrs a lace curtain maker, he is living with his wife Rose 40 yrs and their children, John Edwin 13 yrs a chemist errand boy, Edith Emily 8 yrs a scholar, Catherine Annie 7 yrs a scholar and George Irving 1 year of age. In the same 1911 census we find that Arthur Leslie is living at King Street, Southwell with his widowed grandmother, they are shown as Elizabeth Arnold, widow 64 yrs and Arthur Leslie 11 yrs grandson a scholar.
Private Arthur Leslie Arnold enlisted at Nottingham in 1915 (he was under age at this time) and served with the service number 4666 in the Sherwood Foresters Regiment and whilst in France he suffered from trench foot and was returned home and it was discovered he was under age and discharged. He later re enlisted in 1917 and served with the 4th battalion Machine Gun Corps. He died of wounds on 20th July 1918 at the 4th Canadian Casualty Clearing station in France and is buried in Pernes British Cemetery (grave ref V.F.11).
Article published 31st July 1918 in the Newark Advertiser :- Son of George Alfred & Rose of Southwell. When War broke out in August 1914 he was 15 and in Scout camp at Skegness and immediately wrote home to his parents saying he should enlist even though he was only 15. Failing to get into the Army, he served as a Scout Boy in the Territorial Headquarters at Nottingham until he persuaded a friendly Sergeant to stretch his age and chest sufficiently to pass him into the 2/7th Foresters in March 1915. He landed in France the following February and was soon in hospital with trench feet. When a doctor discovered he was celebrating his 17th birthday in hospital, he chalked ‘Blighty’ on his bed-head, and Arthur was returned home to convalesce. He was recalled to active service last October, went to France early in May. A letter received by his parents from a chaplain alerted them that he was wounded. Buried in Pernes British Cemetery. Had begun his schooling at the Southwell Wesleyan School, passed a scholarship to the Minster and had entered the employ of John Jardine & Sons, Nottingham. Family grave, Southwell Cemetery: 'In ever loving memory of Rose, beloved wife of George Alfred Arnold, born 23rd August 1870, died 4th August 1936. To memory dear. Also of the above George Alfred Arnold, born 24th December 1873, died 2nd May 1951. Reunited. (Kerbstones) Also in memory of Arthur Leslie, son of George & Rose Arnold, died of wounds at Pernes, France, 20th July 1918, aged 19 years. A fragrant memory.’
