Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Arthur Edwards was born in the 2nd quarter of 1889 in Kirdford, Sussex to Edward and Mary Ann Lucy nee Johnson.
Arthur’s father Edward was born on 26th November 1844 in Shipley, Sussex to agricultural labourer William, born about 1819 in Capel and Caroline Edwards, born about 1822 in Shipley. Edward was baptised on 22nd December 1844 in Shipley.
His mother Mary Ann Lucy Johnson was born in the 4nd quarter of 1847 in Horsham to Lucy Johnson. Lucy was born about 1829 in Shipley. Mary Ann was baptised on 1st December 1847 in Horsham. Lucy married William Kempshall on 20th May 1848 in Shipley. At the time of the 1861 Census, the family lived at New Town, Horsham. William was working as an agricultural labourer and Lucy was at home looking after Mary Ann. Mary Ann sometimes used the alias Kempshall. On 19th April 1865 she obtained the following goods by false pretences: one dress and trimmings, one pair of woman’s boots, 2lbs of butter, 4lbs of sugar, one Dutch cheese, 3lbs of currants, 2lbs of soap, 1lb of tea and tobacco, all the property of general shopkeeper Alfred Baker of Ashington, Sussex. On 11th June 1865 she was charged with fraud and sentenced to 6 months of hard labour.
Edward and Mary Ann married on 27th November 1869 in Shipley.
Arthur had one half-brother: William Johnson born in the 3rd quarter of 1866 in Shipley.
He had also eight known blood siblings: Edwin born about 1871 in Ashington, Sussex; James born about 1872 in Billinghurst, Sussex; Fanny born about 1876; Albert born about 1877; Kate born about 1879; Rose (Alice Rosa) born about 1878, all in Shipley; Edward born about 1885 and Frederick born about 1886, both in Kirford, Sussex.
At the time of the 1871 Census, the family lived at Beer House (Rising Sun), Billinghurst, Sussex. Edward was working as an agricultural labourer and Mary Ann was looking after their son Edwin and her son William.
At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived at Slab Castle, Shipley. Edward was still a labourer and Mary Ann was at home looking after their children: Edwin, James, Fanny, Albert and Kate.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at Fountains, Kirford, Petworth, Sussex. Edward, working as a labourer, Mary Ann was at home. The household further comprised of their children: agricultural labourer James, Kate, Rose, Edward, Arthur and Frederick.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at Ranmore Farm, Little Bookham. Edward was still an agricultural labourer and Mary Ann was at home. The household further comprised of their children: farmworkers Albert, Edward, Frederick and Arthur and Rose and a boarder, farmworker, James Washan.
Arthur’s father Edward died in the 3rd quarter of 1908 in Dorking, Surrey.
Arthur Edwards enlisted on 10th September 1906 in Portsmouth into the Royal Navy for five years. At the time of his enlistment he worked as a groom. He had brown hair, blue eyes and a fresh complexion. He was an Ordinary Seaman and his service number was: SS/1622. The first ship he served on, from 10th September 1906, was HMS Victory I. He served on board of several ships and became an Able Seaman on 18th December 1908.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Arthur was an Able Seaman on board of HMS St Vincent docked at Portland, Dorset.
He was transferred into the Royal Fleet Reserve on 11th September 1911 in Portsmouth.
Arthur married Emily Jane Luck, on 6th April 1913 at St Martin’s Church in Dorking. At the time of his marriage Arthur was a farmworker and lived at 16 Lyons Cottages in Dorking. Emily lived at The Bakers, Pixham Lane in Dorking.
Emily was born in the 3rd quarter of 1891 in Dorking to baker Thomas, born about 1866 in Mayfield, Sussex and Maria, born about 1866, both in Mayfield, Sussex. At the time of the 1911 Census, Emily was a kitchen maid of Donovan Meredith Touche at Broomfield, Westcott. The house had nineteen rooms.
Arthur and Emily had a son: Charles born in the 4th quarter of 1916 in Dorking.
Arthur was called up in August 1914 while in the employ of Messrs Attlee as a miller’s carman. He lived in Pixham Lane.
The last ship he served on was HMAV Patia: from 4th September 1915 until his death.
ARTHUR EDWARDS A. B.
A. B. Arthur Edwards, Royal Fleet Reserve, who has been lost by the torpedoing of one of the H.M. ships, would have completed his reserve in September next. At the time he was called up in August 1914, he was in the employ of Messrs Atlee as miller’s carman. He was 29 years of age, and leaves a widow and one child, who reside at 9, Pixham Lane.
Arthur Edwards Death Notice 6th July 1918 © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
Arthur Edwards was killed in action on 13th June 1918 on board of HMAV Patia sunk by the German submarine in Bristol Channel. He was to complete his Reserve Service in September of the next year.
He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire. His memorial reference is 29.
Emily received £87, 10s in the Probate.
She lived at 60 Dene Street in Dorking and later at 9 Pixham Lane. Emily re-married Alfred Tylor in the 4th quarter of 1919 in Dorking.
| Born | Kirdford, Sussex | |
| Lived | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | Edward and Mary Edwards | |
| Husband of | Emily Jane Edwards (nee Luck) | |
| Father of | Charles | |
| Regiment | H.M.S. Patia. Royal Navy | |
| Number | SS. 1622 | |
| Date of Death | 13th June 1918 | |
| Place of Death | Bristol Channel | |
| Cause of Death | Killed when H.M.S. Patia was hit by a German submarine | |
| Age | 28 | |
| Cemetery | Portsmouth Naval Memorial |
