4th (Reserve) Battalion, Grenadier Guards
Arthur George Weaving was born at Minsterworth, Gloucestershire in 1897 (he was baptised on 24 May 1897). His parents were Albert Henry Weaving (1871-1934) a farm labourer and his wife Fanny (née Smith: 1865-1950). The couple had four children, of who Arthur was the eldest. One daughter, born in 1902, died in 1907.
At the time of the 1911 Census the family was living at Elmbridge Cottages, Cheltenham Road, Gloucester. Albert, aged 13, was employed as a carter’s boy.
It is believed that Arthur enlisted in November/December 1914. He would have been 17 at the time and therefore under the minimum age for recruitment, which was 18. No doubt, like many, he lied about his actual age. He was posted to the 4th (Reserve) Battalion of the Grenadier Guards, who were based at Chelsea Barracks in London. There he underwent training before becoming available for posting abroad, at the age of 19.
During his training he fell ill with peritonitis and died on 3 June 1915, aged 18, in Queen Alexandra’s Military Hospital, Millbank, London. The cause of death is recorded on a recently released Pension Record Card. This also shows his mother as being a dependant relative, living at 2 Springfield Villas, Longlevens.
Guardsman Arthur George Weaving was buried in the churchyard of Barnwood (St Lawrence) on 7 June 1915. A notice of death was placed in the Gloucester Journal of 12 June 1915.
Researched by Graham Adams 23 March 2020