Name
George Arnold
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/02/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
M2/266539
Army Service Corps
728th Mechanical Transport Company
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HITCHIN CEMETERY
NE. 572.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Hitchin memorials
Pre War
George was born on 11 March 1888, in Laceby, Lincolnshire, to John R and Rosanna Arnold.
In 1891, they were living at Seed Close Lane, Laceby, with John working as a joiner and George (1) their only child. By 1901 they had moved to Cemetery Road, Laceby. John still a joiner, George, now 13, was working as a draper’s apprentice. He now had 2 siblings: Joseph (9) and Dora S L (5). His parents were still living in the same road in 1911, John now shown as a joiner in the building trade, but only Dora is present, and at 15 was a milliner’s apprentice. This census shows that his parents had been married for 23 years and of 4 children one had died.
In 1911 George was working as a draper's assistant and boarding with the Rouse family at 40 Ashfield Rd Snainton Dale Nottingham
George’s brother enlisted in Grimsby on 13 February 1914 as Private 1087 in the 1st North Midland Brigade, R.F.A. but only served in the UK between 13 February and 4 December 1914 when he was discharged.
At some point George married a girl called Emma.
Official records show that he born in Laceby, Lincs and was living in Doncaster, Yorks when he enlisted in Pontefract.
Wartime Service
He served in the 728th Motor Transport Company and his Service Number was M2/266539.
The unit was formed on the 28th June 1916 and disbanded on the 31st March 1919. It operated solely in Hitchin and its role was as part of the 37th Local Auxiliary Company (Signal Service Training Centre). This was one of the more unusual activities of the Army Service Corps. The Corps became ‘Royal’ on the 27th November 1918.
The cause of death was Double Cobai(?) Pneumonia caught while on active service he is buried in Hitchin Cemetery, probably where he was stationed in Grave NE 572.
Additional Information
Pension records show correspondence with Emma Arnold his widow who was living at 16 Jubilee Rad, Doncaster and a granny of £5 was paid on 4 March 1918.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines, Jonty Wild
