L/CPL 17630 ARTHUR GEORGE STIFF
ESSEX REGIMENT
1883 – 1918
Arthur was born in Capel St Mary on 17th February 1883 possibly in Days Road where the family are shown living on the 1891 census the third child of nine born to Harry Stiff and Alice Stiff nee Pinner. Harry and Alice had married 1877 in the Samford registration district probably in St Mary’s Capel. His father Harry was born around 1852 in Raydon Suffolk and employed as a farm worker, he died in Hendon Middlesex in1919, Arthur’s mother Alice was born around the same time in Capel St Mary and died in 1907 in Ipswich. The children of the family were Walter b1879 Agnes b1881 Arthur b1883 d1918 George b1885 Annie b1889 Harry b1902 William b1893 d1981 Alice b1895 Edward b1897.
Arthur left home to make his own way in the world and in 1908 he marries Jane Agnes Gilson b.1886 Shoreditch and lives in London, by 1911 he is employed as pavers labourer in flooring and has 2 children Alice b1909 and William b1911. His wife Jane works as an ironer in a laundry.
Arthur enlisted probably in early 1915 at Walthamstow and became a Private in the Essex Regiment, he arrived in France on 17th November 1915 his home address was 24 Albion Road Walthamstow, Essex, He became a Lance Corporal acting as full Corporal serving with the 11th battalion when he was wounded in action and died of his wounds on 9th July 1918. Arthur is recorded as the son of Harry and Alice Stiff of Capel St Mary Suffolk. His widow was by now living at 6 Albion Road Walthamstow, with their 2 children and were the beneficiaries of his war gratuity and monies Due.
Arthur is remembered with Honour at Nine Elms British Cemetery Belgium Plot XI, F, 20
Arthur was posthumously awarded:
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•1914-1915 Star
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•1914-1918 British War Medal
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•1914-1919 Victory Medal
His next of Kin would also have received the Memorial Plaque and Scroll
