Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

William Duncan Arnot

1881 –1939

Born in Edinburgh, emigrated to United States before settling in second wife's home town Berkhamsted

Relatives

Annie Arnot — wife

• Melanie Hilton

Unmarked grave William Duncan Arnot (1881-1939)

William was born in 1881 in Edinburgh to David B and Elizabeth Arnot. His father was a joiner.

In 1891 William lived at 1, Murieston Terrace, 1, St Cuthbert, Edinburgh, with his three sisters and younger brother.

He became a carpenter/joiner.

William joined the Queen’s Edinburgh Rifle Volunteers and on 18 December 1901 signed up for the Imperial Yeomanry on a one-year short service basis. He was 5 foot 10 inches tall, and had grey eyes and brown hair.

William served in South Africa – the Orange Free State, the Transvaal and Cape Colony – during the Boar War and received the Queen’s South Africa medal. He was discharged in September 1902. His character was recorded as “Very Good”.

He married Elizabeth 24 April 1905 and David was born 24 November that year in  Edinburgh.

William emigrated to the USA in 1906 accompanied, or followed shortly afterwards, by his family.

Dorothy was born 27 February 1910, Newark, New Jersey USA.

That year  they were renting accommodation and William was working as a carpenter.

Sometime before 9 August 1915 when Irene Gordon was born they returned to Edinburg, perhaps because of the outbreak of war.

William joined the Army Service Corps in 1915 and his home address was 4, Murieston Terrace, Edinburgh, close to his parents’ home. Details of his war record have not been found.

On 13 June 1919 William landed at St Albans, Vermont on the SS Canada en route to Baltimore. The immigration record states that his wife was in Leith.

On October 1 1919 Elizabeth, with the three children, arrived in New York on the SS Baltic. She is described as a housewife and gave the name of Jennie Houtson as her nearest relative in Edinburgh. Her name and Dorothy’s have been stamped “In Hospital” on the immigration record.

The 1920 US census for Baltimore records the family living in that city, but that is the last record that has been traced of Elizabeth.

20 June 1921 William was the ship’s carpenter on the American cargo steamer Carenco docked in Liverpool.

It has not proved possible to trace Elizabeth’s death, or possibly, divorce. William appears to have married Annie Winter, although that marriage has not been traced either.

On 12 July 1927 Annie arrived from New York at Southampton on the SS Mauritania. She had travelled third class and with her were Irene aged eleven, a student; Hilda, (born 1924) and Albert (born 1925). Their intended destination was 4, Back Lane, Berkhamsted.

What led them to return to the UK is unknown. Back Lane, however, was familiar territory for Annie whose parents lived at number 4 in 1901.

Margaret B was born in Berkhamsted in 1929.

William and Annie were still at  4, Back Lane in 1939 when Annie died in West Herts Hospital on 31 March and William 1 June.

Hilda and Margaret moved to live with widow Mary Brown and Barbara Winter, possibly a relative of their mother’s, at 19, Highfield Road. Hilda was employed at the mantle factory in Lower King’s Road.

Annie Arnot

1892 –1939

Emigrated to United State s but reurned to Berkhamsted after marriage

Relatives

William Duncan Arnot — husband

• Melanie Hilton

Unmarked grave Annie Arnot (1892-1939)

Annie was born in 1892, the daughter of Harry and Mary Ann Winter. Her father was a labourer and in 1901 the family lived at 4, Back Lane Berkhamsted.

She had left home by 1911, perhaps to enter domestic service.

Annie appears to have emigrated to America, possibly in the 1920s, where she married widowed carpenter William Duncan Arnot.

On 12 July 1927 Annie arrived from New York at Southampton on the SS Mauritania. She had travelled third class and with her were her step-daughter Irene aged eleven, a student; Hilda, (born 1924) and Albert (born 1925). The two youngest are probably Annie’s children. What led them to return to the UK is unknown. Their intended destination 4, Back Lane, Berkhamsted, however, was familiar territory for Annie.

Margaret B was born in Berkhamsted in 1929.

They were still at 4, Back Lane when Annie died 31 March 1939 in West Herts hospital aged 46.

William died 1 June that year, also in West Herts Hospital.

Hilda and Margaret moved to live with widow Mary Brown and Barbara Winter, possibly a relative of their mother’s, at 19, Highfield Road. Hilda was employed at the mantle factory in Lower King’s Road.