ARTHUR SIDNEY WALES
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.
Born: 24th May 1913, Ipswich.
Baptised: 23rd May 1914, at St. Margaret’s Church, King’s Lynn, Norfolk.
Died: 27th July 1944; age 29.
Residence: Ipswich.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 5832841.
Regiment: South Staffordshire Regiment, 1st Battalion – Infantry.
Grave Reference:
3.G.1.
India.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of John Robert & Annie J. Wales, of 64, Surrey Road, Ipswich; husband of Gertrude Emily Wales, of Ipswich.
Father: John Robert Wales, born September 1884, King’s Lynn, Norfolk. A Woodworking Machinist.
Mother: Annie Josephine Wales (nee Hayes), born September 1892, Cahir, County Tipperary, Ireland.
CENSUS
1921 64, Surrey Road, Ipswich.
Arthur was 8 years and 1 month old. He attended School and lived with his parents and siblings.
John Wales, 36 years & 9 months old, a Woodworking Machinist for Frederick Tibbenham Ltd., Cabinet Works, at Turret Lane, Ipswich.
Annie Wales, 30 years & 4 months old, Home Duties.
John Frederick Wales, 11 years & 8 months old, at School, born Snettisham, Norfolk.
Lilian Mary Wales, 6 years & 8 months old, at School, born Ipswich.
Josephine Mary Wales, 5 years & 2 months old, born Ipswich.
Vera Kathleen Wales, 2 years & 9 months old, born Ipswich.
James Samuel Wales, 15 months old, born Ipswich.
ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939
Arthur was a French Polisher. He lived with his parents & siblings.
John, a Woodworking Machinist.
Annie, unpaid Domestic Duties.
Josephine Wales, unpaid Domestic Duties.
Vera Wales, a Silk Work Machinist.
James Wales, a Lorry Driver – Bacon & Provisions – Wholesale Deliveries.
Eileen Elizabeth Wales, at School, born January 1928, Ipswich.
In 1940, in Ipswich, Arthur married Gertrude Emily Channing, born 1922, Ipswich – daughter of Sydney Leonard Channing, a musician and sawyer for Gabriel Wade & English – Timber Merchants, and Ethel Louise Channing (nee Howlett), of 41 Tuddenham Avenue, Ipswich.
Gertrude and Arthur had two children.
1st (Regular) Battalion:
September 1939: The Battalion was sent to Egypt with General Wavell’s 30,000
December 1940: Was involved in “Operation Compass”
June 1942: Involved with Field Marshal Montgomery’s 8th Army in other major battles in the North African campaign, such as Tobruk and El Alamein.
Early in 1944, he was sent to the Far East to serve as an air landing unit with the Chindits 2nd Expedition.
March 1944: Landed behind Japanese lines in Burma, their objective was to delay Japanese reinforcements that were attempting to stem the British advance in Burma.
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