DAVIS Arthur John

Native of Martley.

1911 Census:
Arthur, aged 16 is still living with his, now, widowed mother and 5 of his siblings at Kingswood employed as an agricultural labourer.

Arthur was born in Wichenford, Worcestershire on 25th April 1895.  He attended the local school until 29th April 1909 when he was shown as withdrawn due to being over age.  He enlisted in the Worcestershire Regiment on 21st November 1911, when he gave his age as 18 years 7 months – his actual age was 16 years 7 months.  He gave his occupation as a farm servant. Arthur was 5 feet 3 inches tall with a sallow complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair.

In June 1913 he was declared a Deserter and following a civil trial at Hereford Quarter Sessions he was imprisoned for 3 months for stealing a bicycle and cape.  Upon his release a military trial found him guilty of desertion and he was sentenced to a further 28 days of detention and stoppages.  He was discharged from the army on 4th April 1914.  In September 1914 he is in custody in Warwick on a charge of larceny.

Berrow’s Worcester Journal, 27th October 1917:
THREE MARTLEY SONS KILLED
The news has been conveyed to his widowed mother that Pte A. Davies, Worcestershire Regiment, was killed in action on the 9th inst., by a bursting of a shell, while on the march to the trenches.  He was in the Special Reserve before the War, and had been in France for a considerable time.  Mrs Davies has lost two others sons in the War, all within six months.  Sergt. W Grubb, Canadians, killed at Vimy Ridge on April 9th, and Pte E Grubb, the Worcestershire Regiment, accidentally drowned, while another son Pte F Grubb, Worcestershire Regiment, has been wounded and discharged.  Her only other son, Pte S Grubb, is serving in France.  Thus all her five sons have nobly responded to their country’s call.  Much sympathy is felt for Mrs Davies and family in their bereavement.