Name
Arthur Narroway
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
11/04/1917
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
31516
Bedfordshire Regiment
6th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ARRAS MEMORIAL
Bay 5.
France
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Printers Memorial, Watford,
Sun Engraving Company Memorial, Watford,
Bushey Memorial, Clay Hill,
St James’ Church Memorial, Bushey
Pre War
Born in about 1887 in Shepherds Bush, London, Arthur was the adopted son of James and Mary Elizabeth (nee Ratcliffe) Narroway of Bushey, Hertfordshire. His adoptive parents were married on 17 November 1879 at St James’ church in Bushey, Herts.
Mary died in 1923 in Bushey, aged 68, and was buried on 1 October at St James’, Bushey. James died in 1933 in Watford, aged 82, and was buried on 19 December, also at St James’.
He is proving illusive on the 1891 Census, but was aged 14 at the 1901 Census and was living in Bushey, with his adoptive parents and one sibling.
On the 1911 Census, Arthur is aged 24 and working as a copper plate printer. He is still living with his parents and 30-year-old sister, Frances, at 4 High Street, Bushey. His father, aged 58, was working on his ‘own account’ as a Marine Store Dealer and his mother, aged 55, was assisting in the business.
Arthur married Amy Corke in the first quarter of 1913 in Watford.
Wartime Service
Arthur enlisted in Bedford and served in France as Private 31516 with the 6th Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment. He was killed in action on 11 April 17 during the Battle of Arras in the front line near Monchy-le-Preux. He was entitled to the Victory and British War medals. He is remembered with honour on the Arras Memorial at Faubourg-D’Amiens Cemetery, Arras in France. He is also commemorated on the Bushey Memorial and at St James’ Parish Church.
The Register of Soldiers’ Effects names his widow, Amy, as the sole recipient of his effects. His pension record card shows a death grant of £3 was paid on 8 May 17, but contains no other details on the name or address of his dependant.
Additional Information
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild, Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
Acknowledgments
Andrew Palmer
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild, Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
