Charles Arnold 1897 - 1944

Charles Arnold was born at Mundford, Norfolk in 1897. He was the fourth child of James William Arnold and Sarah Arnold (nee Norton).

On 31st March 1901 the Census was held. Charles Arnold was living at the Bakers Shop, Mundford, Norfolk. He was living with his parents James William Arnold and Sarah Arnold (nee Norton) and his siblings, Anne Arnold, William Arthur James Arnold and Percy Arnold.

On 2nd April 1911 the Census was held. Charles Arnold was living at the Bakers Shop, Mundford, Norfolk. He was living with his parents Jame William Arnold and Sarah Arnold (nee Norton) and his siblings, Anne Arnold, William Arthur James Arnold and Percy Arnold.

In 1944 Charles Arnold died in Cheshire.

William Arthur James Arnold 1891 - 1940

William Arthur James Arnold was born 1891 in Wymondham, Norfolk. He was the second child of James William Arnold and Sarah Arnold (nee Norton).

On 31st March 1901 the Census was held. William Arthur James Arnold was living in the Bakers Shop, Mundford, Norfolk with his parents James William Arnold and Sarah Arnold (nee Norton) and his siblings Annie Arnold, Charles Arnold and Percy Arnold.

On 2nd April 1911 the Census was held. William Arthur James Arnold was living in the Bakers Shop, Mundford, Norfolk with his parents James William Arnold and Sarah Arnold (nee Norton) and his siblings Annie Dora Arnold, Charles Arnold and Percy Arnold.

On 21st December 1911 William Arthur James Arnold signed up for the 4th Battalion Norfolk Regiment in Brandon, Suffolk. He was given the original number of  1528, which was later on given the number 200063. When he joined up he was 5" 8.5' tall, with a 35" chest.

On 23rd Janurary 1912 he joined the regiment.

Between 21st December 1911 and 29th July 1915 he was based in England.

On 29th July 1915 he was transfered to Liverpool, where he boarded H.M.T. Aquitania.

He set of for the Dardanelles.

On 10th August 1915 William Arthur James Arnold landed at Suvla Bay, Turkey.

To find himself in the middle of an attempted invasion. He found himself pined down on the beach, with shrapnel and bullets whizzing past. The regiment dug in on the beach, living in trenches.

On 4th October 1915, whilest in the trenches in Suvla Bay, William Arthur James Arnold was struck down with diarrhoea and was taken off to No.5 Canadian Stationary Hospital, Abbassia, Egypt.

On 17th October 1915, William Arthur James Arnold was discharged to the Rest Camp at Abbassia, Egypt.

On 6th Janurary 1916, William Arthur James Arnold rejoined his Unit at Alexandria.

On 4th July 1916, William Arthur James Arnold was once again hospitalised, this time at No.1 Australian Hospital, Somalia.

On 3rd August 1916, William Arthur James Arnold rejoined his unit at El Sudan.

On 5th August 1916, William Arthur James Arnold was awarded the Good Conduct Badge.

On 9th August 1916, William Arthur James Arnold was admitted to Citadel Military Hospital, Cairo, Egypt, suffering from Diptheria.

On 7th September 1916, William Arthur James Arnod was discharged to the Convalescent Depot, Abbassia, Egypt, for treatment.

On 11th September 1916, William Arthur James Arnold was readmitted to Citadel Military Hospital, Cairo, Egypt.

On 4th November 1916, William Arthur James Arnold was invalided to England from Alexandra via H.S. Dunluce Castle.

On 21st November 1916 William Arthur James Arnold arrived back in England and was admitted to Bermondsey Military Hospital. (Which is now based in Dressington Avenue, Lewisham, London). He was also transfered to 3rd (Reserve) Battalion.

On 21st December 1916 William Arthur James Arnold was informed that he would be retained for service under the Military Service Act of 1916.

He spent 49 days in the hospital. He informed the medical staff that he had dipptheria in June last followed by unusal nerve lesions, on admission he was convalesing: Dischard Cured.

On 9th Janurary 1917, William Arthur James Arnold was discharged from the hospital and sent to Felixstowe.

On 24th April 1917, William Arthur James Arnold set sail from Folkstone, and landed at Bolougne, France with the 8th Battalion Norfolk Regiment.

On 6th Feburary 1918, William Arthur James Arnold transfered to 7th  Battalion Norfolk Regiment.

On 22nd March 1918, William Arthur James Arnold received orders that they were about to be moved.

On 23rd March 1918, William Arthur James Arnold boarded a motor lorry and moved to Albert.

On 24th March 1918, William Arthur James Arnold arrived in the area of Senlis, Warloy and Bouzincourt. After much marching 35 Brigade, which he was part of, took up a position covering Albert.

On 26th March 1918, Germans were seen advancing down the slopes into the Ancre valley. By 7pm Albert was full of Germans. William Arthur James Arnold had to withdraw through the ruined town to the western side of the railway line. Many of the enemy attacks were repelled with heavy casualties.

On 29th March 1918, the 47th (London) Division relieved William Arthur James Arnold's Division and the moved onto Warloy.

On 2nd April 1918, William Arthur James Arnold was moved back to the front line.

On 5th April 1918, the Germans carried on their offensive of attacking the British lines.

On 6th April 1918, the 38th (Welsh) Division relieved the Division and they moved back to Toutencourt.

On 13th April 1918, William Arthur James Arnold was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Corporal.

On 2nd May 1918, William Arthur James Arnold was making his way up the line to relieve another Battalion, when going over the ridge he was shot in the left chest. The bullet went through  his body and lodged in his abdomen. He was picked up by Regimental Stretcher Bearers.

He was taken to the Advanced Dressing Station.

From there he was taken by Ambulance, either a Wagon, Car or Light Railway to 29th Casualty Clearing Station, Gezaincourt, near Doullens.

On 17th May 1918, William Arthur James Arnold was moved to 1st Australian General Hospital, Rouen.

On 22nd May 1918, William Arthur James Arnold was moved to England. Where he was admitted into the Lord Derby's War Hospital, Warrington, Lancashire, (which is now Hollins Park Hospital, Hollins Lane, Warrington, Lancashire).

On 20th August 1918, William Arthur James Arnold was moved to 3rd Battalion in Felixstowe.

On 25th September 1918, William Arthur James Arnold attended a Military Medical Board in Sutton, Surrey, where he was deemed no longer fit for military service.

On 26th September 1918, William Arthur James Arnold was discharged from the Norfolk Regiment and was given a silver badge to be worn for the remainder of the war, to so why he was not in the armed forces and so he would not be persercuted.

William Arthur James Arnold returned to Mundford, Norfolk, to take over from his father and ran the bakery.

In 1940 William Arthur James Arnold died in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

Annie Dora Arnold 1891 - 1972

Annie Dora Arnold was 1891 in Wymondham, Norfolk. She was the eldest child of James William Arnold and Sarah A. Arnold (nee Norton).

On 31st March 1901 the Census was held. Annie Dora Arnold was living in the Bakers Shop, Mundford, Norfolk with her parents James William Arnold and Sarah A. Arnold (nee Norton) and her siblings, William Arnold, Charles Arnold and Percy Arnold. I believe that the address is now 4 Saint Leonard Street, Mundford, Norfolk.

On 2nd April 1911 the Census was held. Annie Dora Arnold was living in the Bakers Shop, Mundford, Norfolk with her parents James William Arnold and Sarah A. Arnold (nee Norton) and her siblings, William Arnold, Charles Arnold and Percy Arnold. She was "helping at home".

In 1918 Annie Dora Arnold married Edward Hamer in Thetford, Norfolk. They went on to have five children, William E. Hamer born 1919, Barbara A. Hamer born 1922, Winifred D. Hamer born 1927, Marion Hamer born 1932 and Rene Hamer born 1933.

In 1972 Annie Dora Hamer (nee Arnold) died in Wirral, Cheshire.

James William Arnold 1868 - 1945

James William Arnold was born 1868 in Brandon, Suffolk. He was the second child of James Arnold and Eliza Ann Arnold (nee Oldby).

On 2nd April 1871 the Census was held. James William Arnold was living in West End, Feltwell, Norfolk with his parents James Arnold and Eliza Ann Arnold (nee Oldby) and his siblings, Susan Hannah Arnold and Elizabeth Arnold, also his uncle Walter Oldby. On the Census he is listed as William Arnold.

On 3rd April 1881 the Census was held. James William Arnold was living in The Beck, Feltwell, Norfolk with his parents James Arnold and Eliza Ann Arnold (nee Oldby) and his siblings, Elizabeth Arnold, Walter Arnold and Mary Jane Arnold.

On 5th April 1891 the Census was held. James William Arnold was living in a Cottage, Mundford, Norfolk as a Lodger, he was living with Sarah Plumb, her daughter Mary Ann Plumb, her niece Laura Hamer and another lodger Thomas Chapman. James William Arnold was working as a Baker and I think the address now is 16 Saint Leonards Street, Mundford, Norfolk.

On 31st March 1901 the Census was held. James William Arnold was living in the Bakers Shop, Mundford, Norfolk. He was living with his wife Sarah A. Arnold and their children Anne Arnold born 1892, William Arnold born 1892, Charles Arnold born 1898 and Percy Arnold born 1898. He was working as a Baker and I think the address now is 4 Saint Leonards Street, Mundford, Norfolk.

On 2nd April 1911 the Census was held. James William Arnold was living in the Bakers Shop, Mundford, Norfolk. He was living with his wife Sarah A. Arnold and their children Annie Dora Arnold, William Arthur James Arnold, Charles Arnold and Percey Arnold. He was working as a Baker.

In 1945 James William Arnold died in Cheshire.

Susan Hannah Arnold 1866 - ?

Susan Hannah Arnold was born 1866 in Brandon, Suffolk. She was the eldest child of James Arnold and Eliza Ann Arnold (nee Oldby).

On 2nd April 1871 the Census was held. Susan Hannah Arnold was living in West End, Feltwell, Norfolk, with her parents James Arnold and Eliza Ann Arnold (nee Oldby) and her siblings William Arnold and Elizabeth Arnold.

On 3rd April 1881 the Census was held. Susan Hannah Arnold was living in Methwold, Norfolk, where she was working as a General Servant for an Elizabeth Tompson, her daughter Elizabeth King and her two Grand Son's Cyrall Robert King and Edward Robert King.

In 1897 Susan Hannah Arnold married Edward Carter in Thetford, Norfolk.

On 31st March 1901 the Census was held. Susan Hannah Carter (nee Arnold) was living at 2 Mill Lane, Thetford, Norfolk with her husband Edward Carter.

On 2nd April 1911 the Census was held. Susan Hannah Carter (nee Arnold) was living in Brettenham Road, Kilvestone, Thetford, Norfolk, with her husband Edward Carter and their daughter Gladys Mary Carter born 1905. She was working in Agriculture.

In 1948 Susan Hannah Carter (nee Arnold) died in Wayland, Norfolk.

James Arnold 10th March 1843 - 1902

James Arnold was born 10th March 1843 in Brandon, Suffolk. He was the eldest child of James Arnold and Mary Arnold (nee Edwards).

On 11th March 1843 James Arnold was baptised at St Peter Church, Brandon, Suffolk.

On 30th March 1851 the Census was held. James Arnold was living in Lode Lane, Thetford Road, Brandon, Suffolk. He was living with his parents James Arnold and Mary Arnold (nee Edwards) and his siblings, William Arnold, Thomas Arnold and Susan Arnold. Just a word of note, on the census the surname is recorded as Arnell.

On 7th April 1861 the Census was held. James Arnold was living in Thetford Road, Brandon, Suffolk. He was living with his parents James Arnold and Mary Arnold (nee Edwards) and his siblings, William Arnold, Thomas Arnold, Susan Arnold, Henry Arnold and Joseph Arnold. James Arnold was working as a Labourer.

On Christmas Day 1865 James Arnold married Eliza Ann Oldby at St Peter Church, Brandon, Suffolk. They would go onto have nine children. Susan Hannah Arnold born 1866, William Arnold born 1868, Elizabeth Arnold born 1870, Walter Arnold born 1875, Mary Jane Arnold born 1879, Charles Thomas Arnold born 1882, Bessie Arnold born 1885, Ernest Winter Arnold born 1887 and Annie Delese Arnold born 1890.

On 2nd April 1871 the Census was held. James Arnold was living at West End, Feltwell, Norfolk. He was living with his wife Eliza Ann Arnold (nee Oldby) and their children, Susan Arnold, William Arnold and Elizabeth Arnold. He was working as a Blacksmith.

On 3rd April 1881 the Census was held. James Arnold was living in The Beck, Feltwell, Norfolk, which could be now 5 The Beck, Feltwell, Suffolk. He was living with his wife Eliza Ann Arnold (nee Oldby) and their children, James W. Arnold (who might be William Arnold), Elizabeth Arnold, Walter Arnold and Mary Arnold. He was working as a Shoeing Smith.

On 5th April 1891 the Census was held. James Arnold was living in The Beck, Feltwell, Norfolk. He was living with his wife Eliza Ann Arnold (nee Oldby) and their children, Walter Arnold, Mary Arnold, Charles Arnold, Bessie Arnold, Ernest Arnold and Ann Arnold. He was working as a Blacksmith.

On 31st March 1901 the Census was held. James Arnold was living in The Beck, Feltwell, Norfolk. He was living with his wife Eliza Ann Arnold (nee Oldby) and their children, Walter Arnold, Charles Thomas Arnold, Bessie Arnold, Ernest Winter Arnold, Annie Delese Arnold and their Grand Daughter Florence Crttie? Born 1895. He was working as a Blacksmith.

In 1902 James Arnold died in Feltwell, Norfolk.

Ernest Stephen Arnold 1884 - 1948

Ernest Stephen Arnold was born 1884 in Fulham, London. He was the last child of William Arnold and Ann Arnold (nee Richardson).

On 5th April 1891 the Census was held. Ernest Stephen Arnold was living at 83 Rylston Road, Fulham, London. He was living with his parents William Arnold and Annie Arnold (nee Richardson) and his siblings, William Arnold, Emily Mary Arnold, James Arnold and Herbert Arthur Arnold.

Living next door at 81 Rylston Road, Fulham, London were his sister Flora Haines (nee Arnold), his brother-in-law John Haines and his niece Flora Haines.

On 31st March 1901 the Census was held. Ernest Stephen Arnold was living at 281 Lillie Road, Fulham, London with his parents William Arnold and Annie Arnold (nee Richardson) and his brother James Arnold, his brother-in-law John Haines, his sister Flora Haines (nee Arnold), his nieces Flora Haines, Ethel Haines, Lillian Haines and Edith Haines, his nephew Arnold Haines, his brother Herbert Arthur Arnold, his sister-in-law Minnie Ellen Arnold (nee Bull) and his niece Bertha Violet Arnold. He was working for his father as a Boot Finisher.

On 2nd April 1911 the Census was held. Ernest Stephen Arnold was living at 149 Lillie Road, Fulham, London with his parents William Arnold and Annie Arnold (nee Richardson). He was working with his father as a Boot Maker.

On 4th August 1914 England declared war on Germany, starting the First World War.

On Christmas Day 1914 Ernest Stephen Arnold married Annie Salter at St. Augustine Church, Fulham, London. The marriage entry reads;

1914. Marriage solemnized at St Augustine Church in the Parish of St Augustine Fulham in the County of London


When Married. 25th December 19       Name and Surname. Ernest Stephen Arnold/Annie Salter Age. 30/34 Condition. Bachelor/Spinster Rank or Profession. Boot Maker/Manageress Residence at the time of Marriage. 149 Lillie Road/149 Lillie Road Father's Name and Surname. William Arnold/William Salter (Deceased) Rank or Profession of Father. Boot Maker/General Labourer


Married in the Church of St Augustine according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England by or after Banns by me,

This Marriage was solemnized {Ernest Stephen Arnold/Annie Salter} in the Presence of us {William Arnold/N. A. Waller


On 12th December 1915 Ernest Stephen Arnold attended the Army Recuritment Centre in Fulham, London. He was selected for 2/12 County of London Battalion (The Rangers) and given the Army Number 5387 and the Rank of Private.

On 24th March 1916 Ernest Stephen Arnold was Mobilized to Ipswich, Suffolk, where he was given a Medical examination. He was found to be 5" 2', weighing 118 pounds, with a chest measurement of 34 inches.

In May 1916 Ernest Stephen Arnold was moved to Bromeswell Heath.

In July 1916 Ernest Stephen Arnold was moved to Longbridge Deverell, Warminster, Wiltshire.

On 26th August 1916 Ernest Stephen Arnold was caught talking after lights out.

On 9th September 1916 Ernest Stephen Arnold was absent from Roll Call at 21:15 pm and reported to CO's at 22:00 pm.

On 17th September 1916 Ernest Stephen Arnold caused a disturbance after lights out.

On 18th September 1916 Ernest Stephen Arnold failed to attend "Sick" Parade at 07:00 am, after reporting sick to the Orderly.

On 12th November 1916 Ernest Stephen Arnold was AWOL for 12 hours.

On 4th February 1917 Ernest Stephen Arnold landed at Le Havre where they joined the 175th Brigade, 58th Division.

On 17th March 1917 Ernest Stephen Arnold was deployed to pursure the retreating Germans back to the Hindenburg Line.

On 4th May 1917 Ernest Stephen Arnold was involved in the Battle of Bullecourt.

At 03:45 am the eastern and western end of the village of Bullecourt was attacked. The village was captured, however German resistance was fierce and when the offensive was called off on 17th May the Germans were still in possesion of the maid objective, the village of Hendecourt.

On 20th May 1917 Ernest Stephen Arnold was involved again on the Hindenburg Line.

On 20th September 1917 Ernest Stephen Arnold was involved in the Battle of Menin Road Ridge. At 05:40 am 65,000 troops advanced on an eight mile front, screned by heavy mist and a tupefying bombardment. Keeping close to the barrage, the intiial rush, across slippery ground, quickly overran German outposts. By midday the four attacking Divisions on the Gheluvelt Plateau were on their final objectives. The newly won positions were consolidated in anticipation of expected German counter-attacks.

German counter-attacks were dispersed by viciously accurate British barrages. The following days saw further fighting between German and British troops, with the British troops attempting to secure objectives not gained on 20th September.

On 26th September 1917 Ernest Stephen Arnold was involved with the Battle of Polygon Wood. At 05:30 am the infantry attacked the German's second defensive line amongst smoke and dust mixed with heavy ground mist, making the visibility poor. This helped the leading waves to quickly overrun the German lines. By 09:45 am the objectives had been secured.

On 26th October 1917 Ernest Stephen Arnold was involved in the Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the morning of 26th October it was pouring with rain, turning the ground into thick glutinous mud.

The troops managed to progress only 500 yards, before coming to a halt. On 30th October, the weather improved and a renewal of the attack took place, which allowed them to reach the outskirts of Passchendaele. After an extensive bombarment on the morning of 6th November they were able to secure Passchendaele.

On 21st March 1918 Ernest Stephen Arnold was involved with the Battle of St Quentin. On 21st March 1918 at 02:00 am the German barrage began on the British positions south west of St Quentin. At 04:35 am another German barrage began on the main front line. The barrage contained munition shells, mustard gas, chlorine gas and tear gas.

By midday the German troops had broken through the south west of St Quentin and surrounded most of the British Army in that area. Those that had escaped encirclement began to retreat.

Over the next four days the British Army was constantly fighting a rear guard action. By 25th March 1918 there was utter confusion and the army had retreated to Le Transloy.

The movements of 25 March were extremely confused and reports from different battalions and divisions are often contradictory. An unidentified officer's account of his demoralizing experiences that day is quoted in the British Official History:

What remains in my memory of this day is the constant taking up of new positions, followed by constant orders to retire, terrible blocks on the roads, inability to find anyone anywhere; by exceeding good luck almost complete freedom from shelling, a complete absence of food of any kind except what could be picked up from abandoned dumps.^[25]

 The weight of fighting developed to the north of the 54th Brigade, who were now fighting with the French and the battered remnants of the 18th Division who could scarcely raise enough men to form a small Brigade. By 10:00 on the 25th, the left flank of 7th Bedfordshires was again exposed as the French around them retreated, so another retirement was ordered. They withdrew back to Mont Du Grandu further south and away from the British Fifth Army. Midday saw them in a stronger position until the French artillery and machine guns opened fire on them, thinking they were Germans, forcing them to retire, yet again, to high ground west of Grandu.^[10]

The remaining troops of the Ulster Division were ordered to withdraw and reorganize. In order to give support to French troops now holding the front, they set off on a 15 mi (24 km) march west. Around midday, they halted for a few hours rest near Avricourt. While there they received orders to head for a new line which would be formed between Bouchoir and Guerbigny.

On 4th April 1918 Ernest Stephen Arnold was involved in the Battle of the Avre. At 5 am, in drenching rain, an intense German bombardment pounded allied positions. In dank mist German infantry attacked across sodden ground at 06:30 am. At 10:00 am the Germans broke though, forcing a withdrawl to a position barley a mile east of Villers-Bretonneux. At 16:00 pm the enemy penetrated Lancer Wood, forcing the defenders even furthur back. However a counter-attack at 17:45 pm stopped the German advance.

On 24th April 1918 Ernest Stephen Arnold was involved in the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux. The attack took place on the night of 24/25 April 1918. It started at 10 pm. The troops surrounded the village of Villers Bretonneux, forcing the Germans to retreat via a railway cutting, leaving the village to be recaptured and handed back to the villages.

On 8th August 1918 Ernest Stephen Arnold was involved with the Battle of Amiens. The battle began in dense fog at 4:20 am with an attack on the north of the Somme, with support by eight battalions of the Royal Tank Corps.

At 7:30 am the attackers captured the first German position. Such was the speed of their advance that some German officers and divisional staff were captured while eating their breakfasts. However any furthur advance was held up just outside of Chipilly.

By 9th August the village of Chipilly was recaptured and returned to the villagers.

On 22nd August 1918 Ernest Stephen Arnold was involved in the Battle of Albert. This battle saw the German army pushed back to the Hindenburg line.

On 31st September 1918 Ernest Stephen Arnold was involved in the Second Battle of Bapaume.

On 18th September 1918 Ernest Stephen Arnold was involved in the Battle of Epehy. At 5:20am the attack opened and the troops advanced. The Germans, now at a very low level of moral, more or less, just got up and left their positions, allowing for an allied victory.

On 2nd October 1918 the final advance into Artois began.

On 11th November 1918 at 11:00am the Armistice was signed.

On 3rd March 1919 Ernest Stephen Arnold was promoted to the rank of Acting Sargent. He was moved to Leuze.

In June 1919 Ernest Stephen Arnold was transfered back to England.

On 20th June 1919 he was promoted to the rank of Sargent.

On 7th July 1919 he was promoted to the rank of Sargent/Shoemaker.

On 13th October 1919 he was demobed.

In 1948 Ernest Stephen Arnold died in Battersea, London