Arthur Edward White

Arthur Edward was the son of John and Abigail White (née Bradford). His father was born in Hucknall Torkard in about 1841. His mother Abigail was born in Nottingham in 1847 (J/F/M Nottingham), the daughter of John and Ann Bradford. She was baptised at Nottingham St Mary on 29 March 1847. Her family was living at the [Railway] Station, Main Street, Mill Lane, Hucknall, in 1851 where her father was the station master, but at the time of her baptism in 1847 and the 1861 Census the family was living on Parliament Street, Nottingham. John and Abigail were married at Radford St Peter on 23 June 1874 (A/M/J Radford) and were to have eight children of whom only five were still living in 1911. Six children have been traced on the census records between 1881 and 1911; all were born in Hucknall Torkard: Arthur Edward b. 1875 (A/M/J Basford), Frederick Herbert b. 1876 (A/M/J Basford), Gertrude Fanny b. 1877 (O/N/D Basford), John Alfred birth registered 1879 (J/F/M Basford), Harry probably b. 1880 (A/M/J Basford) and Richard Sidney b.1882 (J/A/S Basford). In 1881 John (40) a pork butcher, and Abigail were living on Watnall Road, Hucknall, with their children Arthur (6), Frederick (5), Gertrude (3), John (2) and Harry (u/1). Also in the household was Samuel Brownlow (14) a servant. No record has yet been found of the death of the youngest child Harry but his name does not appear on subsequent census returns. John and Abigail had moved to 20 Main Street, Woodborough, by 1891; John's occupation was given as cottager. Four of their five children were living with them: Fred (15), Gertrude (13), John (12) and Richard (9). Their eldest son Arthur was living at Derby Hills Cottage, The Common, Derby Hills, Shardlow (Derbyshire), where he was a farm labourer working for George Collyer. John and Abigail continued to live at 20 Main Street, Woodborough, although by 1901 John (61) was described as a market gardener and given their occupations as gardeners his sons Frederick (24), John (22) and Sidney (18) were helping in the business. Gertrude (23) was still at home but of no occupation. Arthur was recorded on the census working as a kitchen porter at Smedley's Hdyro, Matlock Bath, Derbyshire. Abigail died in 1907 (J/F/M Basford) and by 1911 only Alfred (30), a general labourer, was living with his father in the family home in Woodborough. Frederick had married Alice Baguley in 1905 (A/M/J Basford) and they were living at Stores Yard, Woodborough; he was now employed as a butcher. Richard had married Louisa Lily Smith in 1907 (A/M/J Nottingham) and although they have not yet been traced on the 1911 Census they were recorded on a 1925 electoral register living in Westgate, Southwell. Gertrude had probably married in 1909. Arthur (36) was a farm labourer working for John Wood at Hill Farm, Thurgarton. Arthur was living in Netherfield, Nottingham, when he enlisted. A probate record suggests that John White snr. died in 1915 (J/F/M Basford): 'White John of Woodborough Nottinghamshire pork butcher died 3 January 1915 Probate Nottingham 15 February to Ira Haddon Buck shawl maker and John Paul Richardson market gardener. Effects £1704 11s. 8d.' Arthur had named two of his mother's sisters, Sarah and Kate, as his legatees (see 'Extra information'). He had a record of criminal offences, including one in 1914 for theft from his father, for which he had been fined or served several short prison sentences (Oct 1906-Feb 1907, Dec 1910 2 months). Arthur may therefore have been estranged from his father although the death of his father, if it occurred in 1915, might also have led him to nominate his aunts as his legatees.

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