Arnold Greensmith
Transport of Wounded and Hospital Duties
Early life:
Born in the first quarter of 1879 in Huddersfield, Arnold Greensmith was one of eight children born to John Thomas and Martha Ann Greensmith, nee Bevers, of Holmfirth.
In 1881 the family were living at 56 Cordingley Street in Bradford. John was working as an insurance agent. His and Martha's children at this time were Mary Ellen, aged three and Arnold who was two. John's aunt, who worked as a domestic servant, also lived with them.
By 1891 the family had moved to Barnsley, living at 54 Oxford Street. John was still an insurance agent. Mary Ellen and Arnold had been joined by George Herbert (aged four) and Edith (aged two).
The Greensmith family shown on the 1891 census
They must have moved to Keighley within the next few years, as Arnold was baptised on 5th May 1895 at the Baptist Church, the same day as Mary Ellen. Their address was 5 Poplar Terrace.
The Baptist Church record for Arnold Greensmith
I have not found Arnold on the 1901 census. His family were still at 5 (B) Poplar Terrace. John was by then working in a confectioner warehouse. George and Edith were there, and two more younger sons - Wilfred Eugene (aged nine) and Reginald (seven).
Arnold married Annie Child who was from Stalybridge in Cheshire during the third quarter of 1903 in Keighley, they had one son, Leonard, born in 1904.
In 1911 they lived at 10 Simpson Street. Arnold was working as an iron moulder with spinning machinery. They had two boarders, mother and daughter Amy and Doris Benson.
War service:
Arnold worked at both Morton Banks War Hospital and Spencer Street Auxiliary Hospital from May 1915 until May 1919, undertaking hospital duties and transport of wounded soldiers.
Two of his brothers also served, George with the Home Service Employment Company, and Wilfred with the Royal Fusiliers. Both survived the war.
Later life:
Electoral registers show that Arnold, Annie and Leonard moved from number 10 to number 18 Simpson Street.
The electoral register for Simpson Street in 1932
I believe they moved to Leeds as Arnold's death in 1937 was registered there. Annie was living there in 1939, with their son Leonard and his family.
Sources:
England and Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915
West Yorkshire, Non-Conformist Records, 1646-1985
England and Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915
1881 England Census
1891 England Census
1911 England Census
UK, British Army World War 1 Pension Records, 1914-1920
UK, World War 1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923
West Yorkshire, England, Electoral Registers, 1840-1962
1939 England and Wales Register
England and Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007
