No.10039, Lance Corporal, Edmund Arthur ARNOLD
Aged 33
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Edmund Arthur ARNOLD was born in Bury St. Edmunds in 1889 (Bury St. Edmunds Q1-1889 4A:713), son of Hannah ARNOLD.
1891 census...Aged 2, he was at 33 Tayfen Road, Bury St. Edmunds with his mother Hannah Arnold [38] single, needle woman born Fornham St Martin. 1901 census...Aged 12, he was at Dalham Road, Gazeley with his mother (housekeeper/domestic and widower George Stebbings [62] shepherd, born Worlington 1911 census...Aged 22, he was in India in the Army. His mother has not been identified but was more than likely still in Gazeley, possibly just moved to Troston In fact the pension card has his mother at 24 Church Lane,Troston in 1919. The Army's last address for his mother in November 1921 was 24 Church Lane, Troston, she had declared, at the same address on a form in 1920, that his father was dead. He is included here as he is apparently on no other memorial and was regarded as a Troston solder by the time of his death |
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He enlisted in London. As well as his mother, a co-legatee was Mary J.Summer. He enlisted in London in the Royal Scots Greys 2288, on 27th July 1908, giving his age as 19 years 6 months, born Bury St Edmunds, a barman, single,.Between medical on 27th July and acceptance on 1st August his age advanced to 20 years, he was still overstating his age. He was 5 feet 6.75 inches (172.1 cm) tall; weighed 121 lbs (54.9 kg), chest 33" to 35" (83.8 to 88.9 cm) blue eyes, brown hair, Church of England. At some time he transferred to the 1st Dragoons, still with number 2288. He was in Lucknow, India in February 1909, and in 1910/1911 he was subject to several disciplinary punishments. He was in India 1912 and appears to have returned to UK in November 1914. He started 28 days imprisonment on 13th October 1911, now stating his age as 22 9/12. The offence was disobeying an order. His time from 1910 to 1911 was often taken up with punishments of all manner and severity, even 3 days on bread and water. He was even offending whilst on detention and earning extra time imprisoned. When he transferred to the East Surrey Regiment in 1911 the record states: "This man was transferred from the 1st Royal Dragoons with a bad character, but his offences were simply of a military character". This despite several severe punishments with the East Surreys. He then "saw the light" and knuckled down to regular soldiering. A similar reference for his service from 1912 to 1914 states: "Clean, sober, thrifty, intelligent. He has greatly improved during his last two years of his service." 16th February 1915 he suffered a gunshot wound and was admitted to No.6 General Hospital going to Base at Rouen on 5th March 1915. A shrapnel wound to his left ankle put him in 84th Field Ambulance on 3rd May 1915 He next embarked at Marseilles on 23rd October, reaching Alexandria on 30th October 1915. Awarded 8 days Field punishment on 16th June 1916, offence not known. Field Punishment N0.2 was being shackled but not attached any fixed object and will carry his kit and carry out duties. He then entered No. 42 general Hospital in Salonica, N.Y.D. (Not yet diagnosed) on 1st September, that turned out to be malaria and he was discharged on 8th, only to return to hospital on 11th, this time with dysentry and on 16th he was on board HMHS Dunluce Castle heading for UK, transferring in Malta on 21st September to HMHS St.Andrew. His records next have him in the 3rd battalion, switching to the 8th battalion on 3rd September 1917 and then to the 12th on 12th Sept. Wounded in action again on 20th September 1917, he rejoined his unit on 26th Promoted to Lance Corporal on 13th October and posted to Italy 12th November returning to France 1st March 1918. Wounded again in March 1918 he was in 43 Casualty Clearing Station on 25th March, and then admitted to Canadian Stationary Hospital at Doullens, returning to the field 26th April, before being killed in action on 24th July 1918. His medical records, quite extensive, are virtually unreadable due to the handwriting The War Diary, near La Clytte, Belgium, has:- 24th : Raid carried out by 15th Hants to obtain identification, none obtained, but casualties inflicted. Retaliation caused casualties to us, 7 killed and 3 wounded. The Bury Free Press of 9th November 1918 reported:- TROSTON SOLDIER FALLS IN FRANCE The accompanying photograph is of Lance Corpl. Edmund A. Arnold, East Surrey Regt., son of Miss Arnold, of Troston. A short time ago the mother received an official notice that her son, whilst serving with the British Expeditionary Force, was killed in action on July 24th, 1918. The young man had been a soldier for some years, and at the time war was declared was serving in India.Like many a brave soldier, he has borne many hardships, being wounded in foot and leg, and last November suffered from fever. His cherry disposition and uprightness make his death keenly felt by his officers and comrades, and sympathy from many friends has been conveyed to the mother.
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