ARTHUR RICHARD WILLIAM ROBERTS
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Image from the Suffolk Chronicle and Mercury – 1917
Served as WILLIAM COOK
Born: 1882, St. Helen’s, Ipswich.
Baptised (Arthur Roberts) on the 3rd October 1883, at St. Helen’s Church, Ipswich – family home at 9, Regent Street, Ipswich.
Died: 8th July 1916; age 34; died from Syphilis – General Paralysis of the Insane – over 1 year, 7 months and 4 days, at the Borough Asylum, Ipswich. Served 7 years & 328 days.
No post-mortem needed.
Formerly of the Military Hospital, Maghull, West Lancashire
Occupation: General Labourer.
Enlistment: Location: Ipswich; date: 4th January 1900; age: 22 years & 1 month; occupation: a Shoe Finisher; religion: CofE. Next of Kin: William Cook, of Gibson Street, Ipswich. Height: 5 ft 2 in, fresh complexion, blue eyes & brown hair. Tattoo of a ship & flags on right forearm.
Service:
Woolwich – 5th January 1905 – 13th January 1905.
Aldershot – 14th January 1908 – 3rd January 1910.
24th January 1910 – transferred to Reserves – served 2 years.
Home: 6th August 1914 – 19th September 1914
B.E.F.: 20th September 1914 – 6th December 1914
Home: 7th December 1914 – 27th November 1915.
Discharged no longer fit for war service: 27th November 1915; at Aldershot; age 29; intended to live at 37, Gibson Street, Ipswich. Has the appearance of being older than he states. Character – Good; he is a good Groom and can drive a pair of horses. Disability – General Paralysis – originated in France. His memory is poor; he can give no account of himself; he has had a series of attacks.
Rank: Driver/Cook; Service Number: T/26068
Regiment: Army Service Corps, No. 1 Depot Coy.
Formerly Driver, 12632, Royal Field Artillery.
Grave Reference:
BA.I.55.
Ipswich.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Mr. & Mrs. Roberts, of 31, East Street, Ipswich.
CENSUS
1891 7, Regent Street, Ipswich.
Arthur was 8 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
Arthur William Roberts, 35, a Shoemaker, born Ipswich.
Henrietta Alice Winters Roberts (nee Meaden), 34, born Devizes, Wiltshire.
Alice Maud Mary Roberts, 11, born Ipswich.
Clara Martha Roberts, 7, born Ipswich.
Beatrice Annie Vennetta Roberts, 5, born Ipswich.
May Frances Roberts, 3, born Ipswich.
Henry Orford Roberts, 1 month, born Ipswich.
1901 Hilsea Barracks, Cosham, Hampshire.
Arthur was 19 years old, a Soldier ranked Driver for the Royal Field Artillery.
1911
Arthur was 29 years old, a Labourer – G.E.Railway. He was living with his parents & siblings.
Arthur, 56, a Bootmaker – own account.
Henrietta, 54.
Clara, 27, a Corset Maker – Corset Factory.
Beatrice, 25, a Tailoress – Factory.
Ernest Roberts, 18, a Beer Bottler – Brewery, born Ipswich.
Arthur’s 13 month old brother, Henry Orford Roberts, died on the 18th March 1892, at his home, 7, Regent Street, Ipswich and was buried on the 23rd March.
Evening Star – Saturday, 15th July 1916 – IPSWICH SOLDIER’S FUNERAL – The funeral took place at the Ipswich Old Cemetery, on Friday afternoon, of Driver Arthur Richard William Roberts, late of the Army Service Corps, whose death occurred in the Borough Mental Hospital on Saturday last. Deceased went to the Western Front in August 1914, and after several months at the front was discharged from the Army suffering from general paralysis, due to shell-shock. The remains were laid to rest in the Field of Honour, the officiating clergyman being the Rev. J. Wood of St. Helen’s Church. Wreaths were sent by Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, sister May and Walter Harvey, Mr. and Mrs. Bloomfield, Sister Clara and George Chapman, sister Bess and Jack Norton, Ernest and Ettie, Mrs. Scrivener, Father and Mother, Beatrice and Ernest Soames, Mrs. Norton and Lily. Edward S. Singleton, Ltd carried out the funeral arrangements.
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