TOWNSEND, Arthur Robert


Corporal Arthur Robert TOWNSEND
Aged 38


Thorneycroft's Mounted infantry
Died of Disease on 30th April 1903

It is not always possible to match the soldier with the civilian with these Boer War casualties.
That means I can only record "most likely to be" in many cases for the civilian identity


Arthur Robert TOWNSEND was born on 3rd August 1865 in Fordham (3rd qtr 1865 Newmarket 3b:523) son of George and Charlotte TOWNSEND (née SMITH)

1871 census...Aged 5, he was at Market Stree, Fordham with his father George TOWNSEND [54], famer/nurseryman born Romford; his mother Charlotte[45] born Freckenham; sisters Sarah [21] and Eliza [16]; brothers Charles [19], Alfred [7] and Harry [2]. All the children were born in Fordham.

1881 census...Aged 15, he was a boarder at Southhill School, Bury St.Edmunds. His parents, sisters Elizabeth and Florence[3] and brother Henry were still in Market Street, Fordham. His father died in August 1881 (leaving just over £30,000).

1891 census...Aged 25, a solicitor, he was in Market Street, Fordham with his widowed mother, married sister Elizabeth CAWTHORNE (famrers wife) and brother Harry W (living on own means). His mother died in June 1891 (leaving just £3,000)

Probate has him as of Doornfontein, Johannesburg



He died in Johannesburg


His medals are
Queens South Africa medal carries the clasps Orange Free State, Transvaal, Tulega Heights, Relief of Ladysmith and Laings Nek.
The King's South Africa medal has clasps for South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902
1902 Coronation Medal


Waiting to obtain an image of the entire window
Arthur Townsend is commemorated on the window in St Peter's Church, Fordham, Cambs

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