Biography courtesy of Sheila Riches - Syderstone Community Archive

Biography courtesy of Sheila Riches - Syderstone Community Archive

Arthur was born in Syderstone on the 7th August 1893, the son of Herbert and Ella Ayres (nee Skipper). Between 1901 and 1911 he was living with his family in Syderstone. Arthur was working as Team Man on a farm. On the 20th November 1911 Arthur joined the Royal Navy for a 12 year engagement. His service number was K13360 and his rank was Leading Stoker. He is described on his naval records as 5ft 4.5 inches tall with fair hair and a fresh complexion. He served on HMS Agamemnon and finally on HMS Eugene. He died on 20th November 1918 in the Haslar Royal Naval Hospital Gosport Hampshire. His service record is difficult to read, but his cause of death was possibly emphysema, which may have been a result of Influenza (H.M.S. Prince Eugene had a number of her crew die as the result of the worldwide Influenza pandemic that lasted from March 1918 to June 1920). Arthur was buried in St Mary’s Churchyard, Syderstone on 24th November 1918.

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