Arthur William Wakelin
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Arthur William was the son of William and Kate Maria Wakelin (née Hogg) who were married in 1884 and had twelve children, eleven of whom survived childhood: Mary Hogg (k/a Wakelin) b. Alfreton 1881, Arthur William b. 1886, Sarah Jane b. 1888, William b. 1889 (reg. 1890), Harriet b. 1892, Alfred b. 1895 and Kate Millicent b. 1896 who were born in Bulwell, Nottingham, and Gertrude b. 1898, Frank b. 1901, Ada b. 1903 and Harry b. 1906 who were born in Nottingham. The family lived on Quarry Road, Bulwell, in 1891 but by 1901 had moved to the Meadows, Nottingham. In 1911 they were living on Hawthorne Terrace, Hawthorne Street. Arthur William married Eliza Ann Chambers at St Wilfrid parish church, Wilford, Nottingham, in 1908. In 1911 they were living at 15 Royston Terrace, Hawthorn Street, Meadows, with their two children Edith and Horace. The later medal roll index card gave Arthur's address as Anthony Terrace, Hawthorn Street, Meadows. Arthur died on 20 May 1930.
He enlisted on 4 October 1914 and served with the Royal Garrison Artillery (18526), first with 111th Heavy Bty, then transferring to 23rd Heavy Battery equipped with BL 60 pound (5 inch) Field Gun. He arrived in France 15 September 1915. His grandson James Phillipson notes 'Unfortunately he inhaled the gas from a German chemical shell and was treated on 30 September 1917 and returned back to duty on 1 October 1917. The substance in the shell eventually damaged his lungs, which meant he could no longer serve and had to leave the Army and returned home. He continued to suffer with his breathing and a lot of pain until his death. He was awarded the Military Medal for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire in the Birthday Honours List 1919.' Arthur William was discharged from the army (disability) on 7 July 1919. The award of the Military Medal was gazetted 17 June 1919. He qualified for the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the British Victory Medal. Arthur died on 20 May 1930 and was buried on 24 May in Wilford Hill Cemetery, Nottingham, Grave No K26*21.
Arthur's father, William Wakelin, served in the Royal Defence Corps (4948 Private) from 14 July 1915 and was discharged (disability, myalgia) on 13 August 1917. He died on 8 August 1920. Arthur William's younger brother, Frank, joined the Scots Guards (2688559 Guardsman) and died in Windsor King Edward Hospital on 31 October 1920 (gunshot wound, self-inflicted). Frank and William Wakelin are buried in Nottingham General Cemetery, grave ref. 9083: '4248 Private W Wakelin Royal Defence Corps 8th August 1920 age (-). 2683359 Guardsman F Wakelin Scots Guards 31st October 1920 age 19.' See records on this Roll of Honour. His brother Alfred enlisted in the army in May 1911 and served with the 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards, transferring to the 5th (Reserve) Battalion (15276 Private). He served in France from August 1914 but was taken ill with pneumonia and had to be medically evacuated to the UK where he spent four months in hospital. He probably then remained on home service. Alfred was admitted to Bagthorpe Military Hospital, Nottingham, in May 1916 for an operation and then in December 1916 transferred to the Army Reserve. He was later assigned to colliery work (his previous civilian occupation) and then to munitions work at the Chilwell shell-filling factory.
