Arthur was born on 10th August 1896 at 421 Spring Road, Ipswich, Suffolk to parents Benjamin and Harriett (Palmer), the 5th of seven children.
In 1901 the family were recorded living at 4 Grimwade Cottages in the parish of St Margaret, Ipswich, Arthur aged 4 years old.
The Athrolls moved to 55 Kemball Street, in the St Johns area of Ipswich sometime during the 10 years before the next census in 1911. Arthur was now 14 years old and working as a grocer’s van boy, a job which he continued with until he joined the Navy in 1912.
He joined HMS Ganges on the familiar Suffolk coast on 11th May 1912 as a Boy 2nd Class, measuring 5’3” tall, with dark brown hair and grey eyes. His youngest brother Francis would follow him into the Navy in 1921. Sadly he never left Shotley as Francis died aged 16 of enteric fever in 1922 and was buried in the village churchyard.
Arthur left on 2nd October 1912, rising to Boy 1st Class the same day and was posted to the armoured cruiser HMS Berwick, leaving on 9th January 1913, recorded at HMS Pembroke for 2 weeks before embarking to HMS London on 25th January 1913 for another few weeks.
After spending a further 6 weeks at HMS Pembroke I Arthur left for HMS Vanguard on 31st March 1914 where he stayed for the duration of his service, until the explosion. Rising to Ordinary Seaman on 12th June 1914 and Able Seaman on 3rd June 1915, he also participated in the Battle of Jutland.
He was awarded the Star, Victory and British medals which were issued to his father on his death.
#25 - 24/843
Sources:
1901 & 1911 England Census
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - Free BMD
The National Archives Admiralty Service Registers and Registers of Deaths and Injuries. Registers of Reports of Deaths
The National Archives Admiralty: Naval Casualties, ADM 242/007; (1914 - 1919)
CWGC Register
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 ADM 171/94
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/7; Scan Number: 0125
Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services, 1848-1939 The National Archives Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services; Class: ADM 188/681
Western Front Association; London, England; Naval Pensions Ledger; Reference: 542931
With thanks to Carole Athroll
Ganges photograph copyright Roy Youngs
Athroll image from www.ipswichwarmemorial.co.uk
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