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Corporal William Frederick Arnold

 

William Arnold © RS virtual Memorial.org.au

Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.

William Frederick Arnold was born on 21st June 1886 in Dorking, Surrey to labourer David and Mary  (nee King). He was baptised on 14th October 1888 at St Mary’s Church in Holmwood. At the time of his baptism the family lived in North Holmwood, where David was working as a labourer.

At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived in Sawdust Green, Dorking. David was working as a general labourer and Mary was at home. The household further comprised of their children: general labourer Casper; Alice Maud; Mabel Diana; William Frederick; Martha Ada and David.

At the time of the 1901 Census, William was a boarder of grocer Tom Coles at 74 South Street in Dorking. At this time he was working as a grocer’s assistant.

At the time of the 1911 Census, William was a boarder of gardener James Frederick Dubbins at 21 Carlos Street, Godalming, Surrey. At this time William was working as a grocer’s assistant. The accommodation had six rooms.

In 1911 William boarded SS Torilla, and departed from England to Australia. He arrived at Brisbane, Australia on 10th October 1911. He was 25 years old. With a Mr. Herbert Dewey, he successfully carried ran an eating house at Adelaide.

William enlisted on 11th August 1915 in Adelaide, South Australia into the 10th Infantry Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force. He was a Private with registration number: 3678. At the time of his enlistment he resided at Mrs R. Just, ‘Meredun’, King William road, Hyde Park, Unley, Adelaide and was working as a storekeeper.

On 2nd December 1915, Pte Arnold boarded RMS Malwa, and departed from Adelaide to Egypt. In April 1916, the 10th Battalion sailed to France.

At the time of his death William was a Corporal. He died in action on 15th April 1917 near Vimy Ridge, France. His body was never found.  When he died his personal effects were sent to his mother. They were 3 religious books; a brush; 2 handkerchiefs and a scarf.

William Arnold Villers-Bretonneux Roll of Honour © CWGC.org

He is commemorated on the Villers-Bretoneux Memorial in France.

William Arnold Roll of Honour Particulars © awm.gov.au

William was well known in Dorking and Reigate.

In England he attended the Board School and was trained in a grocery business. According to the 1917 Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser, so well did he progress at the Board School in Brockham under late Mr J. P. Owen that he was able to leave at the age of 12 years and enter into the employ of Messrs. Portsmouth, grocers and provision merchants, Dorking, subsequently with Messrs. Coles and Adams, their successors, and later on at Adam’s Stores, Reigate. With a Mr. Stonham he started in business as a pork butcher in High Street, Reigate.

DEATH OF BROCKHAM MAN

The sad news has been received that Corpl. F. Arnold, so well known in Dorking and Reigate, has made the supreme sacrifice, Corpl. Arnold was the son of Mr. and Mrs. David Arnold of Root Hill, Brockham, and so well so well did he progress at the Board School in Brockham under late Mr J. P. Owen that he was able to leave at the age of 12 years and enter into the employ of Messrs. Portsmouth, grocers and provision merchants, Dorking, subsequently with Messrs. Coles and Adams, their successors, and later on at Adam’s Stores, Reigate. With a Mr. Stonham he started in business as a pork butcher in High Street, Reigate.

Frederick William Arnold Death Notice Pt.1 © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk

CORPL. FREDK. WILLIAM ARNOLD

At the close of 1911, he emigrated to Australia, With a Mr. Herbert Dewey, he successfully carried ran an eating house at Adelaide. Two years ago, he enlisted in the Australian Contingent, and after a time proceeded to Egypt, and in April 1918, to France. He has a sister, Mrs. Wakefield, residing at Brookside Cottage, Brockham. The last letter sent by her to her brother was returned endorsed “Killed in action, April 15th, 1917 – J. Davidson” and stamped in large capital letters “deceased” The official notice has been probably sent to the deceased Corporal’s home in Adelaide, to his sister, who will no doubt communicate with the relatives in England as early as possible.

Frederick William Arnold Death Notice Pt. 2 © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk

Arnold Family History

William’s father David was born in the 1st quarter of 1847 in Dorking to agricultural labourer William, born about 1821 in Weston, Kent and Diana, born about 1823 in Penshurst, Kent. His mother Mary King was born in the 4th quarter of 1851 in Dorking to labourer Frederick Austin King, born about 1830 and Ann King, born about 1831, both in Dorking. Mary King was baptised on 9th November 1851 at St Mary’s church in Holmwood.

William and Mary married on 20th March 1869 at St Mary’s church in Holmwood. At the time of their wedding the couple resided in Holmwood and David was working as a labourer.

William had ten known siblings: Walter David born in the 2nd quarter of 1870; Rose May born in the 4th quarter of 1871; Annie Bertha born in the 3rd quarter of 1873; Casper born in the 1st quarter of 1877; Archibald John born in the 4th quarter of 1879; Alice Maud born in the 3rd quarter of 1881; Mabel Diana born in the 4th quarter of 1884; Martha Ada in the 3rd quarter of 1888; David born in the 4th quarter of 1890 and Florence Amy born in the 3rd quarter of 1893. All the children were born in Dorking.

At the time of the 1871 Census, the family lived in Holmwood. David was working as an agricultural labourer and Mary was looking after their son Walter. At the time of the 1901 Census, William’s parents lived at Root Hill, Brockham. David was working as a woodman and Mary was at home.

William’s sister Alice married Edwin Lifford Rose in the 4th quarter of 1907 in Epsom, Surrey.

At the time of the 1911 Census, William’s parents lived in Root Hill, Brockham. David was working as a woodman on an estate and Mary was at home. Mary stated that she had given birth to twelve children of whom five were still alive. The accommodation had five rooms.

William’s sister Mabel married Alfred R. Wakefield in the 3rd quarter of 1911 in Reigate, Surrey. His sister Alice  lived in Root Hill, Brockham. In 1917 his sister Mabel resided at Brookside Cottage, Brockham.

William’s mother Mary Arnold was buried on 19th March 1923 at St Michael’s church in Betchworth. At the time of her death she lived in Root Hill, Brockham.

Born Dorking, Surrey
Lived Adelaide, Australia
Son of David and Mary Arnold of Root Hill, Betchworth
Regiment 10th Battalion, Australian Infantry, Australian Imperial Force
Number 3678
Date of Death 15th April 1917
Place of Death Near Vimy Ridge, France
Cause of Death Killed in action
Age 30
Memorial Villiers-Bretonneaux Memorial, France

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