Name
Arthur Castle
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
291080
Suffolkshire Regiment
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Arthur was not born in Pirton, but married Annie French (Brenda Dawson's mother) in 1915. It is thought that they lived in Pirton after marriage and before Arthur went to war. Annie was the sister of Joseph French, who was killed in the war and is recorded on the Village War Memorial. Arthur and Joseph joined up together. Arthur served in the Hertfordshire Regiment and was gassed, but recovered enough to continue serving. In 1919 he returned to Pirton and established himself as a ‘Pirtonian’. In 1920, he started the Men's Social Club, acting as secretary until 1924, when he took over as the secretary of the Pirton Benefit Society, a post he held until 1943. In the pre-National Health Service days members paid into these ‘Friendly’ societies and received financial help in times of need. He was also involved in the Parish Council and Village Hall and, for his effort and personality, he was well thought of. He died in 1943, aged fifty-five. Perhaps the gassing during the war contributed to his early death.
Parish and census records provide no further information, but by 1918 he was recorded as Private 291080, 7th Suffolkshire Regiment, British Expeditionary Force and his home was ‘around’ Little Green.
Acknowledgments
Text from the book ‘The Pride of Pirton’ by Jonty Wild, Tony French & Chris Ryan used with author's permission
