Name
Arthur William Burnell
1881
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
03/11/1918
37
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Sapper
180018
Royal Engineers
218th Field Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ORS BRITISH CEMETERY
B. 26.
France
Headstone Inscription
THY WILL BE DONE
UK & Other Memorials
St John the Baptist Church Memorial, Aldenham, St John the Baptist Church Roll of Honour, Aldenham, Letchmore Heath Village Memorial, Individual plaque on Aragon Coach House, Aldenham Road, Letchmore Heath
Pre War
Arthur William Burnell was born in 1881, in Aldenham, Herts, son of George Charles Burnell (a Carpenter Builder) and Sarah Jane Burnell (nee Tuck).
He was Baptised on 27 February 1881 in the Parish Church, Aldenham, Herts.
1881 Census records Arthur aged 3 months, living with his parents, Brother George 6, and sister Ellen 2, at 2, Carver Cottages, Aldenham, Herts.
1891 Census record Arthur aged 10, at school, living with his parents, Brother George 18, and sister Daisy M. 8, in Letchmore Heath, Herts.
His mother Sarah died in January 1901 aged 53. The records of that year record Arthur aged 20, living with his widower father, sisters Eleanor 22, and Daisy now recorded as Matilda 18, his occupation is given as a Carpenter. His father’s occupation is now recorded as a builder and their address is given as (Builder) Letchmore Heath, Herts.
On 25 April 1903, Arthur married Alice Maud Mary White, the daughter of Henry White of Bushey, Herts, in Bushey, they went on to have two son, Richard William born 1907 and Arthur Ronald born 1910.
Wartime Service
Arthur enlisted at Radlett, Herts, posted to the Royal Engineers with the service number 180018.
He was killed in Action on 3 November 1918. He is buried in the CWGC Ors British Cemetery in France.
There is a plaque on his old house (Aragon Coach House, Aldernham Road, Letchmore Heath) which reads “LEST WE FORGET. ARTHUR WILLIAM BURNELL LEFT THIS HOUSE JUNE 7 1916 TO FIGHT FOR HIS KING AND COUNTRY AND FELL IN ACTION IN FRANCE”.
Additional Information
His widow, Mrs. A. M. M. Burnell, "Bernardene" Letchmore Heath, Nr. Watford, Herts., ordered his headstone inscription: "THY WILL BE DONE". The value of his effects was £15-1s-9d, including his War Gratuity, which went to his widow Alice. Further monies went to the widow after probate on 6 Oct 1927. Total was £531 16s 9d. The reason why probate took 9 years to resolve is not recorded. Alice received a War Widows pension of 38/4 a week from 26 May 1919, for herself and the two children.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne, Taff Williams
Jonty Wild
