| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
Arthur was born in Hessle the 22 Jun 1889 the son of Mary Ann Spencer, he was baptised at St Mary’s, Beverley on 1 Aug 1889. He became the adopted son of Thomas Bentley and Mary (nee Hogg), who had a son George Henry born in Beverley in 1877. Thomas was a gardener. In the 1891 census Arthur was described as a “nurse child”, he lived with the family in Hobson’s Yard, off North Bar Within, later they moved to Pasture Terrace. Arthur, like his step-brother, became a groom. He married Kate Cowdell at Beverley Minster the 8 Oct 1911, Kate was born in Ipswich, they had two children, Sydney born 1912 and Kate born 1916.
Before the outbreak of war Arthur served in the West Riding Royal Horse Artillery Territorial Force as a driver. He agreed to serve overseas and went with the West Riding RHA to Egypt, leaving Devonport on 16 Feb 1916. They were attached to 52nd (Lowland) Division and involved in the defence of the Suez Canal from Turkish forces. He took part in the Battle of Romani on 3 to 5 Aug 1916. He was awarded the War and Victory medals.
On returning Arthur changed occupations and trained as a baker, in 1939 he was a master baker, the family lived at 34 Wilbert Terrace. Arthur died in 1963 aged 73. Kate died in 1979.
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |