Shear, Arthur

Arthur was baptised at St David’s in Birmingham on 13th June 1870.  At the time of the 1871 census, John and Mary Shear were living at 65 Townsend Street, Cheltenham with their three sons: John (4), William (3) and Arthur (10 months). John was from Cheltenham and Mary was from Cirencester. All three children are recorded as having been born in Birmingham, although in the 1911 census Arthur gives his place of birth as Cheltenham. John was working as a porter.

At the time of the 1881 census, John Snr and John Jnr are living with John’s mother at 64 Townsend Street. There is no mention of Mary or the other two sons and No 65 is occupied by another family.

Arthur served in the army from 1889 to 1910. His service records that his wife, Lily was “taken on strength” in October 1989 and that they had six children during that time: George Arthur (20/9/1899), Edward Frederick (19/03/1901), Lillian Eileen Maud (12/12/1904), Grace Beatrice (5/4/1907), Percival William (11/02/1903, deceased) and Frank William (2/10/1908)

At the time of the 1911 census Arthur and Lily were living at Melbourne Cottages, 15 Guy Street, Warwick with their five surviving children. Arthur is recorded as an army pensioner.

Arthur Shear’s death was recorded in the Roll of Honour in the Warwick Advertiser on 2nd December 1916, alongside another from the same unit, Arthur Boyles.  They died at the Battle of Ancre within two days of one another.

Lily died in 1929 and is buried at the Birmingham Road cemetery (photo below). On her grave, Arthur was also remembered. The inscriptions read:

In loving memory of our dear mother Lily Shear, died June 15th 1929 age 49 years.
Also our dear father RSM Arthur Shear killed in France Nov 14th 1916 age 45 years