Name
Arthur Dennis Roden
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
15/09/1916
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
4965
London Regiment *1
1st/15th (County of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 13C.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
St Michael and All Angels Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of Sarah Jane (nee DENNIS) and the late Edward William RODEN.
His parents married 3 July 1881 at St Mary’s, Marylebone, London. Edward died 22 June 1915 in Watford aged 52, and was buried 26 June in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Sarah died 1945 in Pinner, Middx, aged 86, and was buried 22 October, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery. There is a Death announcement for Edward in the Observer dated June 1915.
Arthur was born 6 October 1890 in Sydenham, London, and attended either Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, or Victoria Boys’ School, Watford, from 22 November 1897 to 14 October 1904. He resided in Watford.
He has an entry in the National Probate Calendar.
On the 1891 Census, aged 6 months he lived in Lewisham, London, with his parents and two siblings. On the 1901 Census, aged 10 he lived in Watford, with his parents and three siblings. On the 1911 Census, an etcher aged 20, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and two siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted at Somerset House, London; was entitled to the Victory and British War Medals, and was killed in action.
Additional Information
Arthur is also commemorated on his parent’s grave in Watford Cemetery. His part of the inscription reads:
MY (Sarah Jane Roden) DEAR SON ARTHUR DENNIS RODEN KILLED IN ACTION IN FRANCE SET. 15. 1916. AGED 26 YEARS.
IN GOD'S SAFE KEEPING.
There is a Death announcement for Arthur in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 30 September 1916, and an article in the issue dated 4 November 1916.
Unfortunately, Arthur’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
*1 Believed more correctly, (County of London)
Bn. London Regiment (Prince of Wales’s Own Civil Service Rifles).
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
