Geaves, Albert Arthur

Albert Arthur was born in Buckland, Hertfordshire on 22 July 1889, fourth son of William and Mary Ann (nee Hatchett).  Arthur was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell, Hertfordshire.

Arthur enlisted initially with the Hertfordshire Regiment Territorials, 3/1 Battalion, Regimental Number 2676.  When war broke out he joined the Princess Charlotte of Wales (Royal Berkshire) Regiment 2/4 Battalion, Regimental Numbers 6653 and 202564 in October 1914.  The 2/4 Battalion was mobilised for war in May 1915 and Arthur saw active service in the Western European Theatre of War, France and Flanders.  He was wounded in the leg by shrapnel but survived the War.

Arthur was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

He is commemorated on the St Mary’s Church Ashwell Roll of Honour.

Before enlisting Arthur was a farm labourer living in Ashwell.

He married Evelyn Copley in the third quarter of 1917 at Keighley, West Yorkshire (West Riding) and they had four children.  Edna Muriel was born in June 1920, Leslie E born in March 1924 but died aged 11 in December 1935, Alma E and Graham A both born in March 1925.

The 1939 census shows Arthur living in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, a licensee holder publican of the Thornton Arms.

Arthur died on 18 July 1967 at the General Hospital, South Wing, Bedford.