Arthur William Smith; Sapper, Royal Engineers.

Cap Badge of the Royal Engineers

Arthur was born on 12th June 1877 in Wickham Market and was baptised at All Saints Church, in the village, on 19th August that year. In 1901, Arthur was living at home with his parents and working as a carpenter at St Audry’s Hospital. In 1902, Arthur married Elizabeth Mary Moss and by 1911 they had made their home in Beech Villas on Melton Road.

Arthur was called up and due to his occupation as a carpenter, he joined the Royal Engineers. Not destined to serve overseas, Arthur was stationed at an Anti Aircraft Station at Carr Hill, Gateshead. When the war finished, Arthur took up his old post at St Audry’s, becoming a carpenter once again on 24th February 1919.

By 1939 Arthur had retired and was still living in Beech Villas. He died in 1967.