Arthur Sidney Counsell

This story is shared with the Trust with kind permission from Mavis Williams, Researcher. Photo source: Erin Regan, FindaGrave.com

Arthur Sidney Counsell was born on the 14th of October 1916 and baptised on the 22nd of November 1916 in in the Diocese of Bristol. He was the son of James & Clara Counsell, 5, Thatcher’s Green, Bristol.  James & Clara were married in the Parish of St. George, Bristol on the 28th of January 1906. James worked as a Labourer.

We see the young couple on the 1911 census, which was filled in for the first time, by the householder. They were living at 29 Thomas Street, Llanbradach, Llanfabon, Pontypridd, Glamorgan, Wales. So, the family had moved to Wales, looking for work. James Counsell, 26, was a Haulier at Llanbradach Pit.  Four children had been born, all still living. Their children were Freddy Cousell, 7, Florry C. May Counsell, 5 years, James Mark Counsell, 2, and George Alfred Counsell, 4 months. A visitor, William Gribell, 28, single and a Haulier made up the household. All had been born in Gloucestershire.

By the 1921 census, which was taken on the 19th of June 1921, the family had moved back to Gloucestershire and were living at Megs Thatcher Quay, St George, Bristol, Gloucestershire. James Counsell was a Labourer at Bristol United Yeast Co., Cheese Lane, Bristol. Clara Counsell, who had been born in Cardiff, Glamorganshire, according to this census was At Home. They now had seven children: Freddy Counsell was living elsewhere, Florry Counsell, 15 years, was working part-time as a Chocolate Maker for J.S. Fry & Son, Union Street, Bristol. James Counsell, 13 years and 1 month old, had been born in Bristol, George Counsell, 10 years and Nelly Counsell, 7 years had been born in Llanbradach, Glamorganshire. Arthur Counsell, 4 years and Violet Counsell, 1 year and 6 months old had been born in St. George, Bristol.

The 1939 National Register, which was taken on the 29th of September 1939, show the family split up. We see Clara Clounsell living at 28 Selby Road, Whiteway, Bristol C.B., Gloucestershire and was doing Unpaid Domestic Duties. Violet Counsell was a Yeast Packer, Harold Counsell was a General Office Clerk and the there was a redacted or ‘Closed’ record.

We find James Counsell living at 19 Eve Road, Bristol, Bristol C.B., Gloucestershire, on the day that the Register was taken, with the family of Harold J. Johnson. James was a Labourer, Distillery.

Sadly, I have no information on Arthur Sidney Counsell in his early or teen years but he was to find himself fighting on D-Day and laid down his life for our freedom.  He served in the Royal Army Service Corps.

Arthur met and married Joan Mary Jenkins in the June quarter of 1942 in the Bridport registration district, Dorset. Her parents were living at Hare & Hounds Inn, Waytown, Netherbury, Beaminster, Dorset. Her father, Walter Jenkins,  was a Publican and Shopkeeper and Joan, born on the 1st of April 1918, was a Fish & Fruit Shop Assistant. Arthur would record this as his home address.

I could find no casualty lists which may have helped find what happened to Arthur, but he was wounded and transferred to the U.K., where he was sent to the Canadian Neurological Hospital Hackwood House, Winslade, Hampshire where he sadly died on the 19th of June 1944. He was buried on the 22nd of June 1944 at St. Mary's Churchyard, Upton Grey, Basingstoke and Deane Borough, Hampshire. His address on the Death Certificate was ‘The Hare & Hounds, Weyton, Dorset.’ He died ‘Due to War Operations.’ Probate for Arthur Counsell was granted in Winchester on the 16 October to Joan Mary Counsell, widow.

Joan was to remarry in the September quarter of 1948 to Richard (Dick) Trevett in the Bridport registration district, Dorset. She died in January 1996 in the Salisbury registration district, aged 78 years.

Arthur's family posted this memoriam notice in the Bristol Evening Post on the 20th June 1949

British Normandy Memorial - Additional Information

Unfortunately, we do not have a photo of Arthur Counsell. If you are aware of one, or you are related to Arthur, we would love to hear from you so we can add to his story.