© Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Archibald Victor Capon was born on 4th January 1899 in Stansted, Kent to butcher and labourer Harry and Susan (nee Wood). He was baptised on 5th February 1899 at St Mary the Virgin’s church in Stansted. At the time of his baptism Harry was working as an assistant overseer.
At the time of the 1901 Census, Susan and her children Archibald and Nellie lived with Susan’s step-father, carpenter; Arthur and her mother Emily Jane Atkins at Court Lodge Cottage, Stansted. The household further comprised of Susan’s siblings: farm carter Thomas; Ethel and bricklayer Percy Wood and the Atkins’ adopted son Augustus Richardson.
Archibald was admitted on 5th March 1902 into the St Martin’s Church of England School for Infants. At the time of his admission the family lived at 4 Norfolk Road in Dorking.
On 7th April 1905 Archibald received a Certificate from the Surrey Education Committee for perfect regularity of attendance during the school term ending December 1904. The Committee also supplied Picture Post Cards which were given to each child who not been absent or late during the week.
Archibald was transferred on 23rd April 1906 into the St Martin’s Church of England School for Boys. At the time of his admission the family lived in Howard Road in Dorking. He left the school on 20th December 1912 to become a shop assistant.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at 32 Ansell Road in Dorking. Harry was working in a Timber Yard and Susan was at home. The household further comprised of their children: dressmaker Eva; grocer’s assistant Willie; errand boy Frank; Archibald; Nellie; Hilda; Ernest; Fredrick and Mildred. Susan stated that she had given birth to 13 children of whom 12 were still alive. The accommodation had five rooms.
Archibald enlisted in Guildford, Surrey into the 1st Battalion the Royal West Surrey Regiment. At the time of his enlistment he resided in Eltham, Kent, but his home was at 32 Ansell Road in Dorking, Surrey. He was a Private with regimental number L/11032.
PTE. ARCH. CAPON
(The Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regt)
“Mrs. Capon, 32 Ansell Road, Dorking has received official information of the death of her son, Pte. Arch. Capon. The Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regt. who has been missing since July last. Before joining the Army Pte. Capon was in the employ of Mr. Harman, grocer, Betchworth.”
Archibald Capon Death Notice © Dorking Advertiser Local World Ltd
Archibald was killed in action on or since 15th July 1916 in France. His body was never found. He was only seventeen years old.
According to 2nd September 1916 edition of Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser, Archibald had been in the Army for about 18 months and had been in France since May 1916.
He was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
Archibald is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, Somme, France on Pier and Face 5D and 6D.
His parents later lived at 3 Boughton Road, Well Hall, Eltham, Kent.
Archibald’s father Harry Capon received 10s and 8d on 29th September 1917 and a further £6 on 23rd October 1917 in Soldier’s Effects.
Capon Family History
Archibald’s father Harry was born about 1867 in Stansted, Kent to grocer and carpenter Alfred, born about 1844 in Addington, Kent, and Anne, born about 1841 in Ash, Kent. Harry was baptised on 19th May 1867 at St Mary the Virgin’s church in Stansted. At the time of the baptism Alfred was working as a grocer. At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived at Kingsdown Road, Stansted. Alfred was working as a grocer and carpenter and Anne was at home. The household further comprised of their children and a lodger. At this time Harry Capon was working as a butcher.
Archibald’s mother Susan Wood was born about 1868 in Bromley, Kent to labourer George, born about 1843 in Bromley, Kent, and Emily Jane Patrick, born about 1847 in Burton-Latimer, Northamptonshire. Susan’s father died in the 2nd quarter of 1882 in Bromley. Susan’s mother Emily re-married innkeeper Arthur Atkins.
Harry and Susan married on 25th December 1886 at St Mary the Virgin’s church in Stansted. At the time of their marriage the couple lived in Stansted and Harry was working as a carpenter.
Archibald had twelve siblings of whom nine are known: Eva Annie born about 1889; Harry born about 1890; Willie Alfred born about 1894; Frank born about 1896; Nellie Ethel born 1901 all in Stansted, Kent; Hilda Louisa born about 1903; Ernest John born about 1905; Fredrick Bernard born about 1907 and Mildred Lilian Blanche born about 1911, all in Dorking, Surrey.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at The Village, Trottiscliffe, Stansted. Harry was working as a general labourer and Susan was at home looking after their children: Eva Annie and Harry.
| Born | Stansted, Kent | |
| Lived | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | Harry and Susan (nee Wood) Capon of Stansted, Kent | |
| Regiment | 1st Battalion. The Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment | |
| Number | L/11032 | |
| Date of Death | 15th July 1916 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 17 | |
| Memorial | Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France |
