Private Arthur Storer
6251 18th Battalion Machine Gun Corps
15659 Northumberland Fusiliers
Arthur was born in 1894 at Brinsley, Notts the son of John Storer, a colliery engine winder born Westwood and his wife Mary Elizabeth, born Brinsley. In 1911 the family was living at Franklin Road, Jacksdale. Arthur had brothers and sisters Ethel, Frank, John William, Elsie, Mabel, James and Harry. Arthur was one of a group of ten children christened at Westwood, St. Mary’s on 10th September 1899 being the first ever christening service held at the newly-consecrated church. His brother John William and sister Ethel were also christened in the same service. Arthur’s brother Frank also served during WW1 and is listed on the Jacksdale War Memorial as having served. In 1911 Arthur was employed as a labourer at the brickyard.
Arthur enlisted on 16th November 1914 but his military service record has not survived. He was discharged from the Army on 8th July 1918 as ‘surplus to military requirements having suffered impairment since entry into the service’. On 30th July 1918 he was awarded Silver War Badge No. 430858. He was also a recipient of the Victory and British War Medals.
After the war, in 1919 Arthur married Jacksdale girl, Beatrice Bromley and they had a son named Arthur. Young Arthur was christened at Westwood, St Mary’s, in later life he went on to become a teacher and eventually the headmaster of Jacksdale School, later emigrating to the USA.
Arthur’s father John died in 1958 and his mother Mary died in 1939. They are both buried at Westwood, St. Mary’s, the inscription on the grave reads, ‘Sorrow vanquished, Labour ended, Jordan passed.’