Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
George William Arnold was born on 16th May 1883 in Brockham, Surrey to labourer William and Ann (nee Edwards). In 1887 the family lived in Leslie Road in Dorking.
On 27th October 1890 George was admitted into the St Martin’s Church of England School for Boys in Dorking. At the time of his admission the family still lived in Leslie Road. He left the school on 25th June 1897.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived in Mole Side, Dorking. William was working as an agricultural labourer and Ann was at home looking after their children: James John, Edward, George William, Harry, Bridget Annie and Lawrence John. In 1895 the family still lived at Mole Side.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived in School Lane, Brockham. William was working as a general labourer and Ann was at home. The household further comprised of their children: fly driver James, general labourers Edward, George and Harry, Bridget Annie, Lawrence John and Percy.
George’s father William Arnold was buried on 22nd October 1909 at St Michael’s church in Betchworth, Surrey.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at 56 School Lane, Brockham. The widowed Ann was at home. The household further comprised of their children: builder’s yard clerk Edward, bricklayer’s labourer George, cowman Lawrence, domestic servant Bridget and house boy Percy. The accommodation had four rooms.
George worked for many years in the employ of Messers & G. Cummins and Sons, Betchworth and Dorking
George Arnold enlisted in May 1916 in Guildford, Surrey into the 11th Battalion the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment. He was a Private with registration number G/13465. At the time of his enlistment he lived in Brockham. In July 1916 he was sent to France.
TWO BROCKHAM MEN KILLED
Pte. George William Arnold, one of the five soldier son of Mrs. Arnold, of Old School Lane, was killed in action on Aug 1st. The first intimation of his death was conveyed by Pte. F. Friday, of the same battalion (“Queen’s”), in a letter to his parents in Brockham, which simply stated “Poor old ‘Lardy’ (the name by which the deceased was familiarly known) is gone”. The sad news was confirmed a few days later by Pte J. Dean, also of the “Queen’s”, who wrote to his wife in Buckland that Arnold had been killed in action. Mrs. Arnold was not officially informed until September 10th. Pte. Arnold, who was 35 years old and unmarried joined the “Queen’s” in May 1916, and was sent to France two months later. Previous to enlisting he had been for many years in the employ of Messrs. G. Cummins and Sons, Betchworth and Dorking. The deepest sympathy is felt for the widowed mother and other relations.
George Arnold Death Notice © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
George was killed in an action on the 1st of August 1917 in Belgium. His body was never found. The deceased was familiarly known as Lardy.
He is commemorated on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing in Belgium on panels 11-13 and 14.
George received the British War and Victory medals.
His mother Ann received £1, 8s and 7d on the 3rd of December 1917 and a further £4, 10s on 5th November 1919 in Soldier’s Effects, she was living in Old School Lane in Brockham.
Arnold Family History
George’s father William was born about 1851 in Betchworth, to agricultural labourer James, born about 1815 and Margaret, born about 1825, both in Betchworth. His mother Ann Edwards was born about 1855 in Leatherhead, Surrey to John, born about 1818 in Cowley, Shropshire and Martha, born about 1827 in Albury, Surrey.
William and Ann married on 22nd April 1878 at St Martin’s church, Dorking. At the time of their marriage William was working as a labourer and lived in Brockham. Ann lived in Dorking.
George had six known siblings: James John born in the 2nd quarter of 1880; Edward born in the 2nd quarter of 1881 and Harry born in the 1st quarter of 1885 in Brockham, Surrey; Bridget Annie born on the 1st October of 1887; Lawrence John born on the 26th of February 1891 and Percy born on the 28th of March 1895; all in Dorking.
At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived at 3 Providence Place, Brockham, William was working as a bricklayer’s labourer and Ann was looking after their children: James John and Edward. The household further comprised of a visitor, laundress, Elizabeth Edwards.
| Born | Brockham, Surrey | |
| Lived | Brockham, Surrey | |
| Son of | William and Ann Arnold (nee Edwards) of Old School Lane, Brockham | |
| Regiment | 11th Battalion, The Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment | |
| Number | G/13465 | |
| Date of Death | 1st August 1917 | |
| Place of Death | Passchendaele, Belgium | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in action | |
| Age | 35 | |
| Memorial | Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium |
