Arthur Frederick Chidwick

Arthur Frederick Chidwick 1898 – 1946

Arthur was born on 14th February 1898, the oldest child of Frederick Thomas and Flora Jane (née Jordan). He was baptised at St Nicholas, Barfrestone on 17th April that year, with his father’s occupation given as a labourer.

The 1901 Census showed that the family were living on Church Hill, by which time Arthur had a sister, Hilda Jane, with both children having been born in Barfrestone. By this time, Frederick was working as a cowman on a farm. They were found living in Ruskin Cottages from at least 1910, according to the local directories.

No War records have been found for Arthur, although Higgs stated that he was one of the men that served. The Dover Express of 29th September 1916 showed that Mr Goldfinch, of Shepherdswell, had applied to the Dover Rural Tribunal for a conditional exemption for Arthur, who at 18 was working as an assistant slaughterman. The application asked that the exemption should last until his 19th birthday on 14th February 1917 and was granted.

A subsequent application was made the following February, again by Mr Goldfinch, giving the details that Arthur worked for him as a butcher’s assistant, and lived at 1 Ruskin Cottages. Mr Goldfinch stated that the ‘youth was registered as a substitute at the Labour exchange, but he himself was applying for a substitute’. Temporary exemption was granted for two months, with the Military being required to find a substitute.

The next record found for Arthur was the 1939 Register, when he was found living in Upper Green Cottages in Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire. He was described as a butcher, unmarried, and incapacitated. Also in the household were Robert J Chidwick, Doris S Cavanagh or Tydman, who was married, and Norman F Cavanagh.

A marriage was recorded in the 2nd quarter of 1942 in the Swindon district for Arthur and a Doris Stella Tydeman. Research showed that Doris was born with the surname Gore and had married Edward Tydeman in 1920. Robert J Chidwick was probably Robert J Tydeman as his birth date tallied for a birth to a mother with the maiden name of Gore. Similarly, Norman F Cavanagh appeared to be Norman Frederick Tydeman, with the same maiden name for his mother.

Arthur did not have a long marriage as he died on 9th September 1946, with his address given as 6 Thornhill, Wootton Bassett. Probate was granted to Doris who went on to marry a third husband, James Cavanagh, in 1953 in Northumberland.