Arthur Baxter
Hospital Convoy and Air Raids
Arthur Baxter was born on 9th July 1895 in Liversedge to Richard Baxter, a worsted manufacturer's overlooker from Pontefract and Ann Baxter nee Hartley from Brighouse. He was the fifth of eight children.
The 1891 census saw the family living on Station Road in Liversedge. Richard was a manufacturer's clerk at this time. Arthur's siblings were William Hartley (17) who worked as a worsted spinner's apprentice, Annie Eliza (14) and Mabel (11) who both worked as axminster craft weavers, Laura (8) and Harry (3).
By 1901 the family had moved to Oxenhope and lived on Leeming Lane. Richard was an overlooker at a worsted mill. Mabel, Arthur and Harry also worked in a mill. Two further siblings had joined them- Ruthella (10) and Clifford (5).
The 1901 census
Still in Oxenhope in 1911, the family lived at 31 Denholme Road. Arthur was working as a worsted weaver, Ruthella and Clifford also working in the mill. Sadly Arthur's older brother, William, who had married, had died of tuberculosis in 1905.
Arthur worked at Spencer Street Auxiliary Hospital and Morton Banks War Hospital from May 1916 until December 1919 doing hospital convoy work as well as air raid work.
Arthur married Elsie Nuttall, a worsted weaver of Spencer Street on 12th June 1926 at the Baptist Church on Albert Street in Keighley. His address at that time was 23 Poplar Terrace. They had a daughter, Edna, born in the fourth quarter of 1927.
Arthur and Elsie's marriage record
At the time of the 1939 Register they lived at 69 Spencer Street. Arthur was working in the worsted trade as a piece looker and textile warehouseman, but would also go on to volunteer again during World War 2 on air raid patrol on night duties.
The 1939 Register
Arthur remained in Keighley, and died in 1951. He is buried at Utley Cemetery.
Sources:
England and Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915
1891 England Census
1901 England Census
1911 England Census
West Yorkshire, Non-Conformist Records, 1646-1985
1939 England and Wales Register
England and Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007
findagrave.com
