Neville Arnold was born on the 29th May 1922, the son of Mathew and Sarah E. Arnold (nee Wynne) who married at St. Mary’s Church, Flint on the 24th May 1920 by Licence.
St. Mary’s Church, Flint – Page 17 No. 33 24th May 1920 Mathew Henry ARNOLD, 24, Bachelor Steelworker 96, High Street, Connah’s Quay, Father John ARNOLD, Steel Worker & Sarah Ellen WYNNE 27, Spinster , 1 Bryn Houses, Flint, Father Robert WYNNE, Miner. By Licence. Both signed.Witnesses:- Winnie ARNOLD & John WYNNE.
Neville Arnold was baptised at St. Mark’s Church, Connah’s Quay on the 30th July 1922, the son of Mathew Henry & Sarah Ellin Arnold, their address then was 314b High Street and William Henry was an Ironworker.
The 1911 census shows that Neville’s father Mathew Henry and all his family had been born in Neath, Glamorganshire, except Doris who was born in Connah’s Quay. Neville’s Grandparents, John & Sarah Ellen and their 11 children were living at 96, High Street, Connah’s Quay. They obviously had brought the family up to work in John Summer’s & Sons Steelworks at Hawarden Bridge Steelworks, Shotton
Head of the household was John Arnold, 44 a Steel Smelter and his wife Elizabeth, 42 had been married 25 years and 11 children had been born to them, but sadly 1 had died.* Their children were, Arthur, 24, Beatrice Maud, 22, Winfred, 20, William John, 18, John , 17, Mathew H., 15, Cyril Rees, 13, Clifford, 10, Reginald, 8, May Irene, 7 and Doris, 3.
* There are 11 children in the household, so this is clearly wrong, though on the 1891 census there is a daughter Winifred age 11 months who must have been the child that died and the total children on the 1911 census should have read 12 children, 1 died, but it was a clerical error by Mathew as he would have filled in the census form in 1911.
The 1921 census shows the small family living at 96, High Street, Connah’s Quay, Mathew Henry Arnold now 25 years and 1 month, he had been born in Mclyncrythern, Neath, Glamorgan and was an Electric Overhead Crane Driver and worked at J. Summers & Sons Ltd., Hawarden Bridge Steelworks, Shotton, Nr. Chester but was “Out of Work.” His wife Sarah Ellen Arnold was no 28 years and 6 months old, she had been born in Flint and was doing “Household Duties.” Their daughter, Eveline Joan Arnold was 6 months old and had been born in Connah’s Quay.
Neville is seen on the 1939 Register (FMP) living with his parents at 12, Glynne Street, Connah’s Quay with his sister Evelyn J. Arnold. Neville was single, age 17 and a General Labourer at the Steelworks of John Summers & Sons.
I do not know when he enlisted but according to the British Armed Forces And Overseas Deaths And Burials (FMP ), a few short years later he was to lose his life aboard the M/V King Stephen while in Port Said, when there was an accidental discharge of a Firearm, he was 20 years old. His address given was 12, Glynne Street, Connah’s Quay.
Lt Cdr. Warlow ‘Shore Establishments of the Royal Navy’ – President III was an accounting base, initially in Bristol and then Windsor, it was the HQ for the personnel on Defensively Armed Merchant Ships, it does not mean he served there, but that his pay was worked out there . Royal Marines served aboard DAMS in both wars, this would have qualified him for the Atlantic Star.
This answers my question really, he was paid from /by H.M.S. President lll but served on the Merchant Ship M/V King Stephen.
Listed on Webpage http://www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1942-10OCT.htm
6 October 1942
King Stephen, steamship
ARNOLD, Neville, Act/Able Seaman, D/JX 312752, (President III, O/P), DOWS (DOWS –
died on war service).
Neville’s Uncle, John, his father Mathew’s brother, was in WW1, I have some of his Attestation papers when he joined in February 1918.
Gunner Neville ARNOLD Glynne Street KIA
Chester Chronicle 17th October 1942 GUNNER ARNOLD’S DEATH
News has been received by Mr. And Mrs.Mathew ARNOLD, Glynne-street, Connah’s Quay, that their son Gunner Neville ARNOLD, has died as a result of an accident on a ship. He was in the Merchant Navy, and before the war worked at Messrs. Summers.
His family chose this inscription to be added to his Commonwealth War Gravestone – “God Has Saved From Weary Strife In Its Dawn This Young Fresh Life.” It shows that he was loved.
If anyone can add to Neville’s story it would be gratefully accepted. He was only 20 years old when he died so tragically.
