Lives of the First World War

In May 1913 Arnold was sent to Quebec Canada on the SS Grampian from Glasgow to work on a farm, leaving 7 siblings at home in Crookham Eastfield, Ford, Northumberland (another brother had died aged 3 months). His father John was a gamekeeper for the Duke of Northumberland. When he signed up on May 27th 1915 Arnold gave his date of birth as 1896, not 1898 (as evidenced by his birth certificate), and the recruiting officer noted that his 'apparent age was 18 years', but he was really only 16. Arnold returned to the UK on the SS Hesperian 10th June 1915 where he was in barracks at Shorncliffe Kent. He embarked for France on 18th July and was on the strength of the 15th Battalion on 31st July. In less than 48 hours he was admitted to the 10th Stationary Hospital from the 8th Casualty Clearing Station with Cerebro Spinal Meningitis and died at 11.20pm on 2nd August 1915. He was 17 years and 26 days old. Arnold was always remembered by the family he had left at home. In August 1918 his mother gave birth to her 12th child and he was called Arnold in tribute to his eldest brother.

Created by: , margaret1737