Alfred Arnold
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
He was the son of Thomas Benson Arnold and Rose Arnold. In 1911 Rose added the information to the census that she had had eight children born alive of whom eight still survived; all the children were born in Nottingham. The children listed on the three census between 1891 and 1911 were: Clara, Thomas, Frank, Alfred, Edgar, Robert, Walter and Arthur. In 1891 Thomas (22) and Rose (24, b. Derby) were living at 2 Vine Place, Sneinton, with their two children, Clara (1) and Thomas (3 months) and Thomas' grandfather, George Brown (58), a widower. By 1901 the family was living at 102 St Ann's Well Road, St Ann's; there were now four children; Clara, Thomas, Frank and Alfred. Also in the household was Thomas' widowed mother-in-law, Sarah Ann. In 1911 Rose was the head of household, although she completed the census that she was still married, and living at 1 Ritson Terrace, Hawkridge Street, Nottingham. Seven of her eight children were at home on the night of the census: Clara, Frank, Alfred, Edgar, Robert (8), Walter (4) and Arthur (9 months).
Royal Navy, HMS Clan McNaughton. He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 1 October 1913 and did his initial training at HMS Ganges, Essex. He was rated Boy 1st Class on 19 May 1914. His last ship was HMS Clan McNaughton which he joined on 11 December 1914, two months before the ship was lost with all hands. Had he lived, Alfred would have signed a 12 year engagement on 22 June 1915 when he was 18 years old. Ships and establishments: Ganges 1 October 1913-19 May 1914, Royal Arthur 20 May 1915-30 November 1915, Pembroke I 1 December 1914-10 December 1914, Clan McNaughton 11 December 1914-3 February 1915. HMS Clan McNaughton was an armed merchant cruiser formerly passenger cargo vessel, requisitioned November 1914 from Clan Line Steamers Ltd, Glasgow. Believed to have foundered in a severe gale in the Atlantic Ocean off the north coast of Ireland; last heard from on 3 February 1915 and wreckage later found in the area. The entire ship's company of 281 lost. Alfred was assumed to have drowned when the Clan McNaughton was lost. His body was not recovered for burial and he is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
CWGC incorrectly gives his age at death as 18; see notice in local paper (below) and DOB/age from RN records. Nottingham Post notice (abridged) 25 February 1915. 'A Arnold, 7 Ritson Terrace, Hawkridge Street, Nottingham, aged 17. Lost at sea with the Clan McNaughton.'
