Facts from Arthur's Family History
The earliest occurrence of Arthur's family I have found is on the 1851 Census. Thomas Saunders, Arthur's father is 16 and living at home in St. Helen's Street Ipswich. In the household are:-
Samuel Saunders, Aged 43, a Gardener, Head of the Family
Mary Saunders, Aged 45, his wife
Joshua Saunders, Aged 23, a gardener, his son
Ezekiel Saunders, Aged 19, a Journeyman Baker, his son
Thomas Saunders, Aged 16, a Saddler's Apprentice, his son (eventually to be Arthur's father)
William Saunders Aged 12, a Scholar, his son
Mary Saunders, Aged 9, a Scholar, his daughter
Maria Saunders, Aged 6, a Scholar, his daughter
Thomas Saunders, Arthur's father, next appears on the 1861 census living in Cauldwell Hall Road in the St. Margaret's Parish of Ipswich. He is aged 26 and married to Ann Saunders who is aged 23. They have two children at home, Thomas aged 2 and Victoria aged 3 weeks. Thomas was a Saddler and Harness Maker for the firm of Henry Finn in Ipswich where he was eventually employed for forty five years.
By the 1871 census they have moved into Spring Road, in St. Margaret's Parish of Ipswich. Thomas is now 36 and Ann is 33. Sadly Victoria is now missing from the list but there are six children in the family:-
Thomas the firstborn is now 12
Alice is 10
Samuel is 8
Harry is 6
Kate is 5
Albert is 1
The first record of Arthur is that of his birth on 23rd April 1878 in St John's Parish, Ipswich, Suffolk. His father was Thomas Saunders and his mother was Ann.
The next record of Arthur is on the 1881 Census where he is to be found living at 62 Spring Road in the Parish of St. Margaret, Ipswich, Suffolk, along with his parents, Thomas, now 46 and Ann, now 43. Arthur is of course three at this time. He has five brothers and two sisters living in the house.
Thomas who was 26 and a Blacksmith
Harry aged sixteen who was an Iron Fitter and Trimmer
Albert aged 12 and still a Scholar
Flora was ten and also a Scholar
Robert was aged eight and a Scholar
Walter was six and a Scholar
Then came Arthur aged three
Finally there was Helena who was only nine months.
By the time of the 1891 census the family had moved to Holly Cottage on Ringham Road, Ipswich. Thomas was now 56 and Ann was 53. Still living at home were:-
Robert who was 17 and a Saddler's Apprentice (probably working alongside his father?)
Walter was 15 and employed as a "Carpenter's boy"
Arthur was now 12
Nelly was 10
Also living in the house was Kate aged 24 who was now married and called Kate Cowdel and she had a daughter, a Granddaughter for Thomas, niece for Arthur, also called Kate Cowdel, who was aged 2.
In the 1901 census Arthur is now 22 years old and is an Able Bodied Seaman in the Royal Navy. He is down in the census as in the Pembroke Division on Page 26. He served in the Navy for a total of 15 years. At this time he is not married.
