Name
Arthur Wilson
13 October 1892
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
01/07/1916
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/3445
The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
7th Bn.
'A' Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 5D.
France
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, Watford Grammar School Memorial, Watford, Watford Grammar School Book of Remembrance, St Paul’s Church Memorial, Bushey, Bushey Baptist Church Memorial, Bushey(*1),
Pre War
Born in Watford(*2) on 13 October 1892, Arthur Wilson was the third of seven children born to John and Emma (nee Ashby) Wilson, two of whom died in childhood. His parents were married in the Eton registration area in the second quarter of 1887.
At the 1891 census, his parents had been living at 1 Smith Street in Watford. John and Emma were 27 and 30 years old respectively and John was working as a collector of rates for Watford Local Borough. Also present were two children named Edith and William, who were 2 years and 8 months old respectively, Emma's widowed 71 year old mother, Mary Ashby. They employed a general servant named Alice Mary Roberts, who was 15 years old. Birthplaces for the family were given as Watford for John, Edith and William, Slough for Emma and Chipperfield for Mary.
Arthur was educated at Watford Boys' Grammar School from 1899 to 1909.
By the time of the 1901 census, the family had moved to 'Cromwellhurst' in Bushey Grove Road, Bushey. John was working as a solicitors' clerk and deputy superintendent registrar. Edith and William had three younger siblings. They were Arthur and Dora, who were 8 and 4 years old respectively, and a new baby just one month old who was yet to be named. The birthplace for Arthur and Dora was Watford and that for the new-born was Bushey. Also present were a nurse and a general servant.
At the 1911 census, the family was still living at Cromwellhurst. John was the Clerk to Bushey Urban District Council. All of the children were still living at home and the youngest, who had been unnamed at the 1901 census, was called Alec Frank. William was working as a law clerk, and Arthur was a stock exchange clerk. Also present was John's sister in law, Ann Wingrave.
The Soldiers Died In The Great War (SDITGW) database records that he was born in Watford and was living there when he enlisted in London.
Wartime Service
Arthur enlisted in London and served on the western front in The Buffs (East Kent) Regiment as Private G/3445 in A Company of the 7th Battalion. He was killed in action at Montauban near Albert on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Somme. He was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 28 July 1915.
Arthur is commemorated on Pier and Face 5D of the Thiepval memorial to the Missing of the Somme, and his name is also recorded on the memorial at St Paul's Church, Bushey.
There is an article about and a Death announcement for Arthur in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 15 July 1916.
The 1939 England and Wales Register recorded John, Emma and Dora living at 37 Cassiobury Park Avenue in Watford.
Additional Information
*1 There are two A Wilsons with connections to Bushey and Oxhey – Arthur and Alec, however they appear on the following memorials as just ‘A Wilson’: Bushey Town Memorial, St James’ Church Memorial, Bushey, St Paul’s Church Memorial, Bushey, Bushey Baptist Church Memorial, Bushey, St Matthew’s Church Memorial, Oxhey and Wesleyan Methodist (now Bushey & Oxhey) Church ROH, Oxhey. Clearly because of the proximity of the two locations and the lack of a clearly identifying first name there is scope for confusion. The memorial attribution in the biographies is from the research undertaken for the Bushey World War One Project, who undertook considerable research for these men. The memorials highlighted with the ‘Asterix’ have been allocated by us and could be for either man. This note is intended to highlight the possibility of error and how easily it could be made.
*2 Records found have recorded his birthplace as Watford. This may be the case, however Watford was the main postal location given for nearby villages and hamlets, so it may be that this information is misleading. If more accurate information found this will be updated.
The published Watford Grammar School Book of Remembrance entry reads: WILSON, ARTHUR. School period: January, 1899, to June, 1909. Private, 7th East Kent Regiment. One year, ten months. Killed at Montauban, near Albert, 1st July, 1916.
Unfortunately, Arthur’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
There is an article about and a Death announcement for Arthur in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 15 July 1916.
Arthur is possibly the A WILSON commemorated in Bushey and Oxhey.
"Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild, Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)”
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
