Grandparents

The paternal grandfather, John Townsend, was born about 1824 in Manchester. His wife, Sarah, was born about 1818 in Castleton. In 1861 they lived in Ardwick with 6 children including John aged 6. In 1871 they lived at 24 Leigh Place, Ardwick. John Snr was a master wheelwright employing 8 men and 3 boys and John Jnr was also a wheelwright.

Maternal grandfather, Edward Evans was born in Wales about 1821. His wife, Mary, was born in Cheetham about 1831. In 1861 they lived at 194 York St, Cheetham, with 3 children including Sarah Ann aged 4. Edward Evans was a provisions dealer, later described as a fruiterer.

Parents

John Townsend was born in Manchester about 1855. Sarah Ann Evans was born in Manchester about 1857. They married on 21 July 1879 at Longsight Wesleyan Chapel. John lived at 7 Repton St and Sarah at 389 Oxford St, both in Chorlton-on-Medlock. In 1881 they were living at 46 Cottenham St, Chorlton-on-Medlock. John was 26 and a wheelwright and smith. They had 1 child, Lily aged 4 months, and a servant. In 1887 they lived at 7 Sylvan Grove, Chorlton-on-Medlock. By 1891 they were living at 79 Lansdowne Rd with 5 children and a servant. Arthur was 4 years old. They were still at that address in 1915.

John was described as a marker up and packer in 1911. He died on 9 February 1917 leaving £5993 5s 8d to his widow.

Arthur

Arthur was born in Manchester on 27 December 1886 and was baptised on 30 January 1887 at the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Plymouth Grove. In 1911 Arthur was still living with his parents in Lansdowne Rd. He was an insurance clerk aged 24. He had a brother, John Edward, 27, a warehouse salesman. They had 4 sisters.

Both Arthur (service number 10848) and his brother John Edward (service number 10849) joined the 3rd City Battalion of the Manchester Regiment on 7 September 1914. Arthur got a commission on 7 March 1915 and John Edward on 25 March 1915, both as second lieutenants. Arthur was accidentally killed while on active service in France on 26 November 1915, aged 28. He is buried in St Pierre Cemetery, Amiens, grave reference V. B. 8.

Probate was awarded to his father John Townsend, packer, on 10 January 1916 in the sum of £326 3s 5d.

John Edward survived the war, married in 1916, had 2 children and died in 1963 in North Yorkshire.