Name
Arthur Edward Williams
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
19/08/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/29562
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
16th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 113 to 115.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
St James’ Church Memorial, Bushey
Pre War
Born in Bushey, Arthur Edward Williams was the son of Thomas William and Emma Eliza (nee Haley) Williams. The birth was registered in Watford in the first quarter of 1893 and he was baptised on 30 August 1894. His parents were married in 1883 in Oxhey, Watford.
At the 1901 census, Arthur was eight years old and living with his parents and five siblings at 2 Grove Cottages in Falconer Road, Bushey. Thomas and Emma were aged 36 and 35 years respectively. Arthur’s siblings were named Thomas S., Henry A., Emma, Martha and Mary J. and they were aged 17, 15, 12, 6 and 4 years respectively. There was no entry for Thomas in the employment section, but Thomas (Jnr.) was working as a bricklayer’s labourer and Henry was a butler journeyman. Birthplaces were given as Finsbury in London for Emma and Bushey for all other members of the family.
By the time of the 1911 census the family had moved to 69 Glencoe Road in Bushey. Emily was now calling herself Emily rather than Emma. Thomas S., Henry A., Emma and Martha were no longer living at home, but Arthur and Mary had three younger siblings named Rosie, Alice and Frank. They were 14, 9 and 5 years old respectively and had all been born in Bushey. Thomas was recorded as a builder with his own business and Arthur was working from home on his ‘own account’ as a carter. The census records that Thomas and Emma had had 13 children four of who had died in childhood.
Wartime Service
Arthur enlisted in Watford as Private G/29562 with the Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex) Regiment. He served with the 16th Battalion on the western front. He was killed in action on 19 August 1917. He is remembered with honour at Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium and is also commemorated on the Bushey Memorial, at St James’ Parish Church in Bushey village and at St Paul’s, Bushey.
Arthur’s pension card named his wife as Mildred and there was a marriage in the third quarter of 1911 in the Watford registration district between Arthur Williams and Mildred Wright. The address for Mildred on the pension card was given as 66 Glencoe Road in Bushey and her date of birth as 1 June 1893. A pension of 22s. 11d. was awarded with effect from 11 March 1918 and a death grant of £5 also paid on 15 September 1917. Two children were also listed, and they were named Arthur Reginald Thomas, with a date of birth of 5 December 1911, and Charles Henry Gilbert, with a date of birth of 2 September 1916.
Mildred’s name was subsequently crossed through and substituted by Millicent Wilson (remarried). There is a marriage in the Watford registration district in the last quarter of 1918 between Millicent Williams and Ernest H Wilson.
There is an entry for Albert’s father in the National Probate Calendar for 1934 which read: "WILLIAMS Thomas William of Belton Villa Glencoe-road Bushey Hertfordshire died 5 September 1934 Probate London 25 October to Frank Charles Williams builder. Effects £2107 8s. 9d."
Additional Information
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild
Acknowledgments
Andrew Palmer
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild
