Sergeant Arthur Frederick Curry

Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.

Arthur Frederick Curry was born in the 3^rd quarter of 1887 in Dorking, Surrey to Walter and Alice.

Arthur’s father Walter was born in the 1^st quarter of 1862 in Dorking to bed manufacturer and bootmaker Walter, born about 1830 in Kingston, Somersetshire, and Elizabeth, born about 1840 in Hanfield, Middlesex. At the time of the 1871 Census, the family lived on the High Street, Dorking and Walter was working as a bed manufacturer employing fifteen men and two boys. At the time of the 1881 Census, Walter boarded with John Austin on Dorking High Street His mother Alice was born in the 1^st quarter of 1858 in Dorking to publican Francis, born about 1818 in Slinfold, Sussex, and Ann, born about 1818 in Warnham, Sussex. Alice was baptised on 24^th March 1858 in Dorking. Walter married Alice on 24^th October 1883 at St Paul’s church in Dorking. At the time of the marriage, Walter lived in Shepherd’s Bush and was working as a bootmaker. Alice lived in Harrow Road West in Dorking and her father Francis Turner was a gentleman.

Frederick Curry had three known siblings: Richard Walter born in the 3^rd quarter of 1884 in Shepherd’s Bush; Herbert Alfred born in the 2^nd quarter of 1886 in Dorking and Stanley Charles born in the 3^rd quarter of 1889 in Aldershot, Surrey.

At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at 65 High Street in Aldershot. Walter was working as a bootmaker’s manager and Alice was his assistant.

At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at 233 High Street in Aldershot. Walter was working as a draper and Alice was at home with their children: printer’s apprentice Richard , draper’s assistant Herbert, and schoolboys Arthur and Stanley. The house also comprised of a boarder: draper’s assistant William Tailby and domestic servant Emily Critcher.

Arthur enlisted on 13^th September 1906 in Whitehall, London and became part of the 1st Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry (Prince Albert’s). He was a Sergeant, with the regimental number of 8052. At the time of his enlistment Arthur lived in Aldershot and worked as a draper’s assistant.

At the time of the 1911 Census, Arthur was a Lance Corporal of the Somerset Light Infantry at Clarence Barracks, Portsmouth. He married Hilda Margery Baker in the 2^nd quarter of 1914 in Farnham.

On 21st August 1914, he disembarked to France. Arthur was killed in an action on 26^th August 1914 in France. His original grave bore the inscription “145 Englische Krieger, 26.08.1914” on a German cross. He was buried wearing a general service uniform with Sergeant Stripes and a cardigan with his regimental number 8052; but without his army boots.

Arthur Frederick Curry received the British War and Victory medals and the 1914 Star.

Arthur Frederick’s wife Hilda Margery Curry received £9, 1s and 2d on the 13^th of January 1915 and further £8 on the 19^th of June 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.

Born	Dorking, Surrey
Lived	Aldershot
Son of	Walter and Alice Curry
Husband of	Hilda Margery Baker
Regiment	1st Battalion, Prince Albert’s (Somerset Light Infantry)
Number	8052
Date of Death	26th August 1914
Place of Death	France
Cause of Death	Killed in Action
Age	28
Memorial	Fountaine-au-Pire Communal Cemetery