Arthur John Battersby
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Arthur John was the son of Arthur John Battersby and his third wife, Emma (née Billings). Arthur John Battersby senior married first Catherine (Kate) O'Brien (b. Hull 1840) in May 1867 (reg. Hull) and they had two sons who were both born in Hull: Edmund b. 1868 and Fred b. 1870. Kate died in 1874 (reg. Hull) and Arthur married secondly Mary Ann Clayton in 1875 (reg. Horncastle Lincolnshire). In 1881 Arthur, an upholsterer, Mary Ann and Arthur's two sons Edmund and Fred were living on Westgate, Grantham. The family was sharing a home with John Sewell, a watchmaker and head of household, his wife and two boarders. Mary Ann Battersby died in May 1882 and two years later in May 1884 Arthur married Emma Billings at Nottingham St Nicholas. Arthur and Emma had at least three children who were born in Nottingham: Anne Jessie b. 1887, Arthur John b. 7 April 1888 and Alice May b. 1897. In 1885 Arthur was recorded in a Nottingham directory as a 'feather bed purifier' with a shop on Chesterfield Street. However, in 1891 the family was living at 50 Castle Gate, Nottingham, and Arthur was working from home as a leather purifier, assisted by his sons Edmund and Fred. Also in the home were Jessie (3) and Arthur (2). Emma Battersby died in 1898 (reg. Nottingham), the year after the birth of her second daughter, Alice May. In 1901 the widowed Arthur, who was still working on his own account as a leather purifier, was living in Sheffield with his two daughters, Jessie (13) and Alice (3). Also in the home on the night of the census was his eldest son Edmund. Edmund had married Clara Ellen Brown in 1899 (reg. Nottingham) who with their first child, Harry, was recorded on the census with her parents in West Bridgford, Nottingham. However, by 1911 Edmund, Clara and their two children Harry and Catherine, were living in the Meadows, Nottingham. Arthur's second son, Fred, had married Elizabeth Eliza Boynton in 1894 (reg. Nottingham) and in 1901 they were living in Paddington, London, with their three young children Lilian, Arthur John and Ida. Arthur John jnr. has not yet been traced on the 1901 Census, but on 28 May 1902 he was admitted to the East Moor Community Home School in Leeds, a reformatory school, for a period of four years (to 25 May 1906) after a conviction for stealing ('larceny by a servant') in the Sleaford (Kesteven Division) of Lincolnshire. He had a previous conviction for stealing a duck in December 1900 ('whipped'). The Yorkshire Reformatory School record gave his father's occupation as 'bed cleaner' with a shop on Castle Gate, Nottingham, home address 50 Castle Gate. After completing his sentence in 1906 Arthur jnr. joined the army (see 'Military history'). Arthur snr. married Lucy Potter in 1905 and in 1911 they were living in Elys Court, Chesterfield Street, Nottingham. Arthur, who was in his seventies, had retired from work. The later CWGC record gave their address as 14 Carter Gate, Nottingham. Arthur died in 1925 (burial February).
Alexandra Princess of Wales' Own (Yorkshire Regiment). The Regiment was also known as the 'Green Howards.' In the mid 18th century it was common for regiments to be referred to by the name of their colonel, and for the Yorkshire regiment this was Sir Charles Howard ie. the 'Howards'. However, when the regiment was brigaded with another regiment which was also known as Howard, the Yorkshire regiment, which wore green facings to its uniform, henceforth became known as the 'Green Howards.' Arthur attested in the Militia in Leeds on 7 June 1906 and joined the 4th Yorkshire Regiment (6293). He was living in Leeds and employed as a gardener, having previously been at a Leeds reformatory. He named as his next of kin his brother [half-brother] Edmund Battersby, 'address not known.' Arthur served in the Militia until 29 July 1906 then on 30 July transferred to the Yorkshire Regiment (8381). In 1911 Arthur was stationed with 'B' Company 1st Battalion Yorkshire Regiment at the British Barracks, Khartoum, Sudan (Officer Commanding 2nd Lieut. CB Hackett). No records have yet been traced of Arthur's service with the regiment during the war. Arthur died of pneumonia at Devonport Military Hospital, Devonport, Plymouth, on 7 November 1919. He was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery on 19 November (grave ref. 03978).
CWGC: 'Son of Arthur John Battersby, of 14, Carter Gate, Nottingham, and Lucy Battersby (stepmother).' Probate: Battersby Arthur John of 14 Carter-gate Nottingham lance corporal HM Army died 7 November 1919 at Devonport Military Hospital Devonport Administration Nottingham 22 March to Arthur John Battersby of no occupation. Effects £11 3s. 9d. Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his father was his sole legatee. WW1 Pension Ledgers Index Cards: named his father and stepmother, Lucy Battersby.
