Royal Regiment of Artillery

Arthur James Griffin was born at Aldershot, Hampshire to James and Jane Griffin. He was a soldier and moved about serving in Dublin in 1872 and Northern Ireland 1874 and back to Aldershot in 1876.

By 1881, his father was a Pensioner and the family were living in 5 Albert Terrace, South Stoneham. Resident were James (39), Jane (33), Ellen (15), Arthur James (11), Anna F (9), Rebecca Florence (7), Lewis (5), Violet (20Mo.)

Probably joined the Royal Artillery at the age of 14, circa 1884-5

On the 1891 census of Weymouth – Barracks, Arthur James appears as a Single Sergeant aged 20; Soldier Battery Sergeant Royal Artillery; Hants Aldershot;

Married about 1897 (married for 14 years on the 1911 census) Recorded as part of the British Forces serving in Malta where Lilian Kathleen GRIFFIN, the daughter of Jane and Arthur James Griffin, QMS, Royal Artillery, was born 29th July 1898 and baptised 22nd August 1898. Lillian is shown on the 1901 census in Hampshire.

In 1903 he is living in Colchester at Melita Villas, Campion Road.

1911 shows on the census as married and as a Sergeant Major in the West Indies and working in the Royal Artillery Clerks Section. He joins Broadarrow Lodge at St. Georges, Bermuda. His wife, Jane, is living with daughter (recorded Kathleen only) at 15 West Road, Shoeburyness, Essex.

The London Gazette of 26th April 1912 shows Serjeant Major Arthur James Griffin to be Quartermaster, with the honorary rank of Lieutenant. Dated 27th April, 1912.

There is an Arthur James Griffin MBE serving with the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Captain and Quartermaster in receipt of the Victory Medal and the British War Medal for WW1.

Family

Military:

Military Milestones

Masonic:

One of the 25 petitioners not named individually on the Warrant of Constitution. 5th Worshipful Master of the Lodge 1907 -1908.

Masonic Milestones

Comrades Lodge records show him having died in April 1941. Further records including the England & Wales deaths 1837-2007 collection show that he died in Chichester, Sussex.