Personal Details
Born: 12 March 1893 in Shroton, Dorset and baptised 15 May the same year in Shroton Parish Church.
Family: He was the fifth of ten children born to Harry Arnold, an estate labourer, and his wife Ann. He married Susie Wright Moore on 26 February 1927 in Ilkston Parish Church, Derbyshire. No children can be confirmed for the marriage.
Residence: In 1901 he was living with his family at Bessels, Iwerne Courtney, Courtney, Blandford, Dorset; by 1911 they had moved to Shroton Blandford, Iwerne Courtney. He declared his address in 1914 when enlisting as Coton Hall, Whitchurch, Shropshire. In 1927 when he married, his address was 23 York Avenue, Hanwell, London, W7; this remained his address until the time of his death.
Employment: In 1911 he was a motor cleaner; in 1914 he was a chauffeur and in 1939 he was a motor engineer.
Died: 5 January 1985 in Hanwell, aged 91.
Military Details
Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry
Rank: Private
Service Number: 12389
Date of Enlistment: 7 September 1914
Date of Discharge: 1 April 1919
Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation
Other Information: Suffered with malaria, wounded 18 September 1918. He was entitled to wear a wound stripe.
Albert was awarded the Campaign Medals (1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals)
The 1914 Star (also known as 'Pip') was authorised under Special Army Order no. 350 in November 1917 and by an Admiralty Fleet Order in 1918, for award to officers and men of the British and Indian Expeditionary Forces who served in France or Belgium between 5 August and midnight of 22–23 November 1914. The former date is the day after Britain's declaration of war against the Central Powers, and the closing date marks the end of the First Battle of Ypres.
The 1914–15 Star (also known as 'Pip') was instituted in December 1918 and was awarded to officers and men of British and Imperial forces who served against the Central European Powers in any theatre of the Great War between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915. The period of eligibility was prior to the introduction of the Military Service Act 1916, which instituted conscription in Britain.
The British War Medal (also known as 'Squeak') was a silver or bronze medal awarded to officers and men of the British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or entered service overseas between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918 inclusive. This was later extended to services in Russia, Siberia and some other areas in 1919 and 1920. Approximately 6.5 million British War Medals were issued. Approximately 6.4 million of these were the silver versions of this medal. Around 110,000 of a bronze version were issued mainly to Chinese, Maltese and Indian Labour Corps. The front (obv or obverse) of the medal depicts the head of George V. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.
The Allied Victory Medal (also known as 'Wilfred') was issued by each of the allies. It was decided that each of the allies should each issue their own bronze victory medal with a similar design, similar equivalent wording and identical ribbon. The British medal was designed by W. McMillan. The front depicts a winged classical figure representing victory. Approximately 5.7 million victory medals were issued. Interestingly, eligibility for this medal was more restrictive and not everyone who received the British War Medal ('Squeak') also received the Victory Medal ('Wilfred'). However, in general, all recipients of 'Wilfred' also received 'Squeak' and all recipients of The 1914 Star or The 1914/1915 Star (also known as 'Pip') also received both 'Squeak' and 'Wilfred'. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.