Name
Arthur Edward Childs
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
05/05/1915
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
10326
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 31 and 33.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
St Mark’s Church Plaque, Colney Heath, We are not aware of any memorial in Smallford
Pre War
His parents were George Edward & Sarah Anne Childs. The St Mark’s Church records confirm that Arthur was born on the 15th December 1893 in Smallford, Hertfordshire and was baptised on 28th January 1894.
He was living in Woodrake Cottage, Smallford (cottage behind The Barley Mow PH) in 1901 & 1911. He worked as a cowman on farm and this could well have been Hill End Farm which was close to Woodrake Cottage (1911). According to the 1901 census he was one of five children (three girls and two boys) and the eldest son. Also living in the four rooms of Woodrake Cottage were Sarah Ann’s mother (Elvina Gray) and grandmother (Sophie Easthall) - a total of nine people. However, there was another sister, Ellen, who eventually became Mrs George John Brett. From the 1901 census it would appear that Ellen was also working on the farm as a general domestic servant. According to the 1911 census Arthur’s mother, Sarah Anne, had given birth to nine children of whom eight were still alive. However, in 1911 only three of the children were still living at Woodrake Cottage: Arthur, George (14) and Florence (12). Immediately prior to enlisting Arthur was employed at Messrs. Saunders’ Orchid Houses, which were located around the junction of Alban Way and Camp Road, and at the end of Cavendish Road.
Wartime Service
After enlisting Arthur and training he had been at the front since the beginning of the war.
The regimental war diaries for the 5th May 1915 state that: “At a little after 8.00am enemy attacked with gas laid on from two points opposite own trenches”. It is very likely that Arthur died as a result of this engagement with the enemy.
Additional Information
The connection is uncertain, but the Herts Advertiser records Arthur as “connected with Colney Heath Church”.
Acknowledgments
Graham Clark – World War One – The Fallen of London Colney, Grace Clark, Jonty Wild
