No. 12830, Private, Walter Curtis ARNOLD
Aged 29
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Walter Curtis ARNOLD was born in Hockwold cum Wilton, registered Mildenhall Q4-1886 4A:706. He was the second son of William and Eliza ARNOLD (née CURTIS) of Nursery Lane, Hockwold
cum Wilton. 1891 census...Aged 4,he was living at Church Lane, Hockwold withWilton, with his father William [39] an agricultural labourer born Wilton; his mother Eliza [39] born West Row, brother Edward J [14] agricultural labourer, sisters Dora W [11], Rose E [8], Amelia E [6] and Mabel E [1]. All his sisters were born in Wilton. 1901 census...Aged 14, he was a horsekeeper, living at Nursery Lane, Hockwold with his parents, father was now a team man, sister Katie B [9] and brothers Frank [6] and Reginald [4]. The three new siblings were born in Hockwold. He married Ethel Louisa COCKS [13-7-1879] in Hockwold on 10th November 1907. 1911 census... Aged 24, he was married, a horsekeeper on farm,living in Hockwold, with his wife, Ethel Louisa (née COCKS)[24] born Brundon, Suffolk; daughters Daisy May [31-5-1908] and Bertha [4-7-1909] both born in Wilton and father in law George COCKS [49] married agricultural labourer born in Brandon. They apparently had a son, Walter Curtis [13-3-1912] born in Hockwold His parents and brothers Frank and Reginald were still in Hockwold. All the men were farm labourers but now the births are recorded as in Wilton, not Hockwold. There had been 10 children but 2 had died by 1911, one being Mabel E who died in 1893 aged 3. Questions arise from the pension card which has a claim from Walter's mother as guardian of just one child, Dairy May. Where were Ethel and Bertha and Walter Curtis ? A note added says simply "separated wife". It looks as if Ethel went away with Bertha and Walter (jun) some time between 1912 and 1915, leaving Daisy with her grandmother Eliza Arnold. In 1939 Bertha and husband Alexander ELLISON were in Willesden, a few doors from her brother Walter and his wife Hilda, in Yuletide Road. Their mother, now Ethel Talbot was in nearby Berry Street. His brother Frank was also killed in France on 19th May 1916. see here. and brother Reginald was killed on 19th July 1916 in France see here. |
photo: Lacey Curtis via Ancestry
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The 2nd Norfolks were in Basra for March 1916 with little happening. It is uncertain whether Walter's death was due to injuries or disease, his medal card says wounds Walter may have been serving with Victor Maling at the time. see here. |
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