Arthur Godber Bell

Arthur Godber was the fourth son of Frederick Joseph and Jane Bell (née Godber). His father Frederick Joseph was born in Sneinton on 8 April 1854 (A/M/J Radford) the son of Samuel Bell and his wife Rebecca (née Tilney). He was baptised at St Barnabus Roman Catholic Cathedral on 15 December 1884. His mother Jane Godber (probably Jane Clara) was born in Lenton in about 1858, the daughter of Alfred and Eliza Godber. Frederick and Jane were married in 1876 (J/A/S Nottingham) and had seven children, all born in Nottingham (registration district Nottingham) and baptised at St Barnabus RC Cathedral: Frederick Cyril b. 9 February 1883, bap. 12 October 1884; Maria Angela b. 28 June 1885 bap. 26 July 1885; Edith Agnes b. 10 October 1887 bap. 10 October 1887; Bernard Alfred b. 12 October 1889, bap. 10 November 1889; Harold Samuel b. 16 October 1891 bap. 29 November 1981; Arthur Godber b. 21 March 1897 bap. 16 May 1897 and Harry Joseph b. 11 July 1901 bap. 4 June 1905. In 1881 Frederick (26), a bricklayer, and Jane (22), a dressmaker, were living at 3 Metham Street, Lenton. Also in the household were Jane's unmarried sister Maria Godber (19), a hosiery machinist, and a visitor, their cousin Kate Glover (10. b. Leicester). Maria and Kate Glover (surname given as Godber), a hosiery worker, were living with Maria's parents, Alfred and Eliza Godber, at Hampden Cottages, Ireton Street, in 1891. Frederick and Jane were also living on Ireton Street at 10 Hampden Cottages in 1891. Frederick was now an assistant clerk of works. He and Jane had four children; Frederick (8), Maria (5), Edith (3) and Bernard (1). Their third son, Harold, was born later that year. The baptismal registers gave their address as 15 Beckenham Road, Nottingham, when Harold was baptised in November 1891 and 38 Raleigh Street in May 1897 when Arthur was baptised. However, by 1901 Frederick, a builder's clerk of works, and Jane were living at 45 Douglas Road, Nottingham. Their six children were still living at home: Frederick, an assistant dispenser, Maria, a hosier, Edith, Bernard, Harold (9) and Arthur (4). Their seventh child, Harry, was born in July of that year. The family had moved to 103 Radford Boulevard by the time Harry was baptised in 1905 but by 1911 they were living at 39 Bentinck Road, Nottingham. Frederick snr. was now a municipal clerk of works. All seven children were in the home on the night of the census: Frederick a chemist's assistant (Nottingham Guardians), Maria a hose mender, Edith (no occupation), Bernard a clerk (Fellows Morton & Clayton, canal carriers), Harold a joiner's apprentice, and Arthur and Harry (9) who were still at school. At the time of Arthur's death in 1916 his parents were living at 20 Claypole Road, Nottingham and were still living at the same address when his father Frederick died on 19 November 1925. His mother Jane died on 8 August 1937. Of Arthur's surviving siblings: Frederick Cyril, probably known as Cyril (Cyril Frederick) may have served in the RAMC (73933 Private) and discharged on 14 September 1919 (British War Medal and Victory Medal). In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled Frederick (Cyril F), single, occupation dispenser, was a patient at Mapperley Hospital, Porchester Road, Nottingham. (The hospital opened as the Nottingham Borough Lunatic Asylum in August 1880.) Frederick died on 12 October 1951 (burial 17 October). Maria Angela married John W Clay in 1913 (J/A/S Nottingham). Her husband may have served in the Labour Corps (421862 Private) but was discharged (disability) on 8 July 1918. In 1939 they were living in Skegness, Lincolnshire. Maria died in 1949 (J/F/M Lincoln). Edith Agnes married Robert H Fricker in 1915 (J/A/S Nottingham). In 1939 she was living with her youngest brother Harry, at 112 Gregory Boulevard, Nottingham; she was still married but her husband was not living with her. Her husband may have been Robert Harold Fricker (b. 1884 J/A/S Watling, Sleaford) who in 1911 was working as an assistant draper and living in Nottingham as a boarder at 40 Sherwood Street. A Robert Harold Fricker served in the 9th Bn Lincolnshire Regiment but later transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers (52507 Private) before being medically discharged (bullet wounds) on 12 April 1918 (Silver badge No. 401728). He died in 1965 (A/M/J Newark). Edith Agnes died on 21 February 1959 (buried 25 February). Bernard Alfred, the second son, has not yet been traced after 1911. Harold Samuel may have served in the RFA(1111777 Corporal) and later in the Army Pay Coprs (21082 Corporal). He married May Beever (b. 1 May 1892) in 1918 (J/F/M Elham Kent). May was born in Nottingham, the daughter of Charles and Lucy Beevor, who in 1911 were living on Queen's Walk, Meadows, Nottingham. In 1939 Harold, an assistant manager at a silk mill, and May were living at 164 Harrington Drive, Lenton, with their son Derrick J. (b. 21 July 1921, d. 10 August 2003), a clerical officer staff insurance. He died on 22 November 1943; his address was still 164 Harrington Drive. Harold's wife survived him. Harry Joseph was living at 112 Gregory Boulevard in 1939; he was a ladies and gentlemen's hairdresser. Also in the household were his married sister, Edith Agnes, his unmarried maternal aunt, Maria Godber, described on the register as an invalid, and three others who may have been boarders or lodgers: William E Smedley (b. 25 July 1900) married, civil servant (clerical officer), William A Green (b. 26 October 1907) single, foreman (perfumer/fancy goods) and George E Green (b. 29 August 1917) single, grocery shop assistant. Harry married Elsie May Horsley in 1945 (J/A/S Nottingham) and at the time of his death on 11 January 1960 they were living at 427 Beechdale Road, Aspley, Nottingham. His wife survived him.

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