Category: Military
Rank: Driver
Regiment or Ship: 2nd Home Counties Royal Engineers (T)
Service Number(s): 534041; (T)808; 344117
Occupation: Carter’s Mate
Date of Birth: 1895
Place of Birth: Bexhill on Sea, Sussex
Date of Death: 1973
Place of Death: Maidstone, Kent
Address: 5 North Road, Sidley, Sussex
Photos and newspaper articles
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Family Information
Parents: Soloman Shoesmith Cramp (1867-1944) and Julia Cramp, nee Vitler, (1872-1947).
Siblings: Ada (1898-); Lambert (1903-1993); Herbert William (1903-1904); Louie (1906-1990); Kate (1910-); Ellen May (1911-1914).
In 1911 the Cramp family lived at Acton Farm, Battle, where Soloman worked as Farm Labourer.
In 1925 Arthur married Maud Cosgrove at Eastbourne and they had one child – Ernest Matthew (1928-1988).
First World War Experience
As Arthur’s Service Records have not survived we have very little definite knowledge of exactly what he did during the Great War. He enlisted sometime before Christmas 1914 – immediately entering the Royal Engineers. Two very pleasant photographs appear at different times in the Bexhill Observer which show a very handsome young man.
He was awarded both the Victory Medal and the British Medal. As he was not awarded the 15 Star it may be assumed that he did not serve abroad during 1915 – but that is not certain.