Arthur Antrobus was born on 28th April 1897 in Runcorn registration district and baptised on 13th June that year at St Peter’s, Aston-by-Sutton. He was the son of Isaac Antrobus (born Keckwick) and his wife Elizabeth (nee Vernon) who was born at Five Crosses near Frodsham.
The 1901 census recorded the family as living at Tunnel Top, Sutton. The father was a railway signalman. Arthur was the youngest out of a total of 12 children, six boys and six girls. Alice (16), Thomas (15), Frederick (13), Emily (11), James (9), Ellen (8) and Benjamin (5) were those still living at home with three-year-old Arthur. Thomas was the only child who was working: he was employed as a gentleman’s page boy. The older siblings, Annie, Rachel, Mary Elizabeth and William had left home.
Arthur attended Aston Council School (which became Aston County Primary School) and left in April 1911 to go to work, as he was then 14 years old.
By 1911 the family were living at Boundary Farm, Aston, Preston Brook and the father was now a farmer. Arthur was just about to leave school, William was back home working on the farm, Emily helped her mother with the housework, James was an apprentice moulder in an iron foundry, Ellen did dairy work and Benjamin also worked on the farm. Thomas’ wife and one-year-old daughter also lived with them as Thomas was working as a butler in London. James and Thomas would also enlist in the Great War.
Arthur took the oath at Frodsham on 8th February 1916. He was made a Private in the Royal Field Artillery and given the service number 131682. He was 18 years and 11 months old and was 5’5’’ tall with dark brown hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion. His occupation was given as a cowman. From the end of April until early September he attended Artillery Training School at Bulford on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire as a Driver. He was deemed to be sober, steady and reliable and of very good military character, however after 128 days he was discharged on 2nd September 1916 as he was considered medically unfit for further service. He returned to civilian life.
In 1921 Arthur married Bessie Allaby at Runcorn. They would have two children, Sybil born in January 1923 and Joyce born in 1925.
Arthur’s mother Elizabeth died in 1924 and his father Isaac died in 1937.
The 1939 register showed that Arthur and Bessie and the two girls were living on Northwich Road in Dutton. Arthur was a self-employed haulage contractor and 16-year-old Sybil was working as a clerk in a music stores office.
Sadly Bessie died in 1940 at the age of 37 years.
Arthur died on 10th December 1973 in the Hawarden area. His address was given as 3, Dale Road, Aston Park, Queensferry. He was 76 years old.