Sunday 16 August 2015

Arthur Tilson 1920-1944 age 23

Barnsley Chronicle 3rd April 1943
Thanks to Barnsley archives
Born: 4th April 1920 in Barnsley 

Son of: James and Lucy Tilson nee Raynes. They married at St Edward's Church on 27th November 1915. James Tilson (1882-1959, died age 76) was a crate maker in a glass works of 4 Grove Street, Barnsley. Lucy (1892-1971, died age 71) was the daughter of John Raynes of 112 Keresforth Hill Road, Barnsley. The couple lived at 21 Back Denton Row in 1915, later moving to 11 Keresforth Hill Road, Barnsley. They had 8 known children. 
  • Gladys 1916
  • Lily 1918
  • Arthur 1920
  • May 1921-1922, died age 9 months
  • Marion 1922-1923, died age 8 months
  • James 1924-1928, died age 3
  • Joan 1927
  • Frederick 1937
Arthur's father James served in WW1 and his left leg was amputated due to war wounds. Father James's brother Arthur died in Barnsley whilst on furlough from the Y & L Regiment in 1915 at the age of 25 years and it is most likely that the younger Arthur was named after his Uncle. 

The Barnsley Chronicle 3rd April 1943 tells us that Arthur was the nephew of Fred Tilson, the former well-known football player of Barnsley and Manchester City.

Military Service: Arthur was a Private in the Kings Own Light Infantry, 1st Battalion, Service number 4691273.  The Barnsley Chronicle on 3rd April 1943 tells us that Arthur celebrated his 23rd birthday in Persia and prior to this had served in France, Norway and India. 

Death: 23rd January 1944 at the age of 23.
Buried: Minturno War Cemetery in Lazio, Italy, grave number V1.K.2. Arthur's grave bears the inscription
Sleep on, beloved
Sleep and take thy rest
Goodnight

Commonwealth War Graves Commission link: here  
Remembered: St Edward's WW2 Memorial plaque, Barnsley 

Research by James Corbett and Gill Brookes of St Edward's Church, 

2 comments:

  1. Thank you for this brilliant record of my family. It helped me research the correct information to use with James and Arthur's war medals. I am making a medal presentation unit for Frederick Tilson, son of James, brother of Arthur.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for your kind comments. There is an article about Arthur in the Barnsley Chronicle of 24/07/1915. If you'd like to contact me with your email I can give more details.

    ReplyDelete