Arthur John Partridge was born at Hardington in 1879.[1] He was the fourth of fourteen children born to John Wethey Partridge and his wife, Charlotte.[2]

His father was a general labourer; his mother, Charlotte, was the daughter of Jonah Delamont, a canvas weaver.[3]

Arthur was probably born at Broadstone. In about 1898, his parents moved to a five-roomed cottage at Lyatts.[4] Arthur’s father died on 2 March 1906.[5]

In 1895, Mrs Squire of Hardington Moor employed Arthur as a delivery boy.[6]

In 1899, Arthur married Lucy Ellen Sims, the daughter of a cabinet maker, and they settled in Yeovil.[7] They had two children: Wilfred Albert on 23 November 1900 and Hilda Lucy May on 15 November 1907.[8]

Arthur had several addresses during his time in Yeovil. In March 1901, he lived at 34 Great Western Terrace.[9] In 1907 and 1911, he lived at 84 Huish.[10] In 1914, he lived at 89 Beer Street.[11]

He had several jobs: an assurance agent in March 1901, a dairyman in December 1907 and a coal carter in April 1911.[12]

In January 1915, Arthur joined the 8th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry.[13]

On 27 January 1916, he died of his wounds in France. He was 37.[14]

His body lies in Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres.[15]

Arthur’s name is on the Hardington and Yeovil War Memorials.

His widow remained in Yeovil. In 1921, she lived at 25 Camborne Grove.[16] In 1939, she lived at 62 Lyde Road. She died in 1962, aged 85.[17]

References

[1] Civil Registration Birth Index.

[2] Family reconstitution; RG14, piece 14381.

[3] RG11, piece 2389, folio 125, page 2; RG12, piece 1895, folio 106, page 6; RG13, piece 2297, folio 46, page 11; Family reconstitution.

[4] Voters’ lists; RG13, piece 2297, folio 46, page 11; RG14, piece 14381.

[5] Civil Registration Death Index; MI at Hardington Mandeville.

[6] Western Chronicle, 5 April 1895, p.3.

[7] Civil Registration Marriage Index; Llanfihangel Llantarnam mixed register.

[8] Civil Registration Death Index; St Andrews, Yeovil baptism register

[9] RG13, piece 2301, folio 99, page 26.

[10] St Andrews, Yeovil baptism register; RG14, piece 14409.

[11] Voters’ list.

[12] RG13, piece 2301, folio 99, page 26; St Andrews, Yeovil baptism register; RG14, piece 14409.

[13] Western Chronicle, 11 February 1916, p.8.

[14]  Commonwealth War Graves, 1914-1921; Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919.

[15] Commonwealth War Graves, 1914-1921; Find a Grave.

[16] RG15, piece 11322, schedule 122.

[17] Civil Registration Death Index.