Name
Arthur William Minnis
1890
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
30/12/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
30901
Bedfordshire Regiment
5th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CHATBY MEMORIAL
Egypt
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin, British Schools Museum Memorial, Hitchin,
Pre War
Arthur was born in 1890 in Hitchin and christened on 24 May 1893 in Holy Savior Church, Hitchen. His parents were William and Mary Minnis (née Cannon) who had married on 13 January 1890.
In 1891 the family were living at 1 Walnut Tree Cottages, Hitchin. Present were both parents: William (63), a farm labourer and Mary (28) a straw plaiter – although there is a large age difference, this is consistent with later censuses. Their children were: Rose H (12), Arthur W (1) and Elsie V (6 months). Also present was mother-in-law, Ann Cannon (65).
By 1901 the family had moved to 41 Bancroft, Hitchin. Present were both parents, with William, although 72, still recorded as a farm labourer. Their children were: Arthur and Florence.
By 1911 the family were living at 41 Bancroft, Hitchin. Present were both parents, with William now listed as an old age pensioner. The census recorded they had been married for 22 years with 2 children, all living. Arthur was the only child and at 21 was a farm labourer. William died later that year at about 81.
Arthur married Ada May Dawbon (b 30/4/1890) in 1912. And they had at least two children, Frederick William (b 9/2/1915 and Herbert Dvylas (b 4/2/1916).
Before joining the army he had been employed by Wallace's Dairy in Hitchin.
He enlisted or more likely was conscripted on 12 July 1916.
Officially Arthur was recorded as born in Hitchin and was living there when he enlisted in Bedford.
Wartime Service
He went to France in November 1916. He was allocated the Regimental Number 30901 and posted to the 5th Battalion of the Bedfords. He fought at Arras and on the Somme. Hw returned to Englansd in March 1917, possibly invalided home. On the 19th November 1917 he was drafted to Egypt and was transported on the liner ‘Aragon’ of 9588 tons built in 1905 that had been taken over by the British Government from the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company and was bringing reinforcements to the army in Palestine. The ship was full to capacity, having 2,500 troops on board plus 200 in the crew.
The ship arrived at Alexandria on the 30th December 1917 and was permitted to enter the harbour, but was later ordered outside without any protection. It was promptly torpedoed by the German submarine UC34 with the loss of 610 men including 19 crew and the ship's Captain, Captain Bateman. Arthur was recorded as ‘believed drowned’
He has no known grave but is remembered on the Chatby Memorial to the Missing in Egypt.
Additional Information
After his death £7 6s 9d was authorised to go to his widow Ada May Minnis on 7 October 1918. Later, a war gratuity of £6 was authorised to be paid to her on 24 November 1919.
His pension cards record widow as his dependant, living at 2 Anderson Row, Florence Street, Hitchin. She was awarded a grant if £5 on 29 May 1918 and a pension of 25s 5d a week from 2 September 1881 September 1919. Their relevant children (under 16) were listed as Frederick William (b 9/2/1915 and Herbert Dvylas (b 4/2/1916).
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
