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Arthur Fildes
33084, Private, 3rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Died of illness after discharge, 11 January 1917, aged 35
Buried at Salford (?)
Not an official War Grave
Arthur Fildes, the son of John Richard Fildes and his wife Helena (née Mullineux) was born in Worsley, Manchester in 1881. John Fildes was a fireman stoker and the family lived with Helena’s parents at Worsley. The Census for 1891 records the family living at another address at Worsley, John Fildes being described as a storekeeper at an ironworks. Ten years later in 1901, the family was living at 23 Roe Green, Worsley; John Fildes was described as a store and time keeper and Arthur (20) an iron turner fitter. Arthur is recorded as having a brother John (17) and two sisters, Hannah (10) and Phoebe (6). Llandudno newspapers in 1905 record John Fildes as being the owner of the Welcome Temperance Hotel, Vaughan Street, Llandudno. Presumably, Arthur had moved with his parents to Llandudno for on 23 November 1907, Arthur married Florence May Metcalf at Llanrhos Parish Church. The 1911 Census Wales records the couple and their daughter Doris (2) living at 38 Mostyn Street, Llandudno; Arthur (30) was described as a caretaker in an estate office.
Arthur Fildes attested for army service at Llandudno on 31 July 1915. He was enlisted as being “class C”, being fit only for Home Service. He joined the Royal Welsh Fusiliers at its Wrexham depot on 4 August and was posted to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion at Litherland near Liverpool on 9 September. He was discharged as no longer physically fit for War Service on 24 October 1916 for reason of chronic rheumatism. His home address was noted as the Welcome Hotel, Llandudno. After his discharge, Arthur took a job as a warehouseman in Manchester.
Arthur Fildes died on 11 January 1917 at 60 New Barton Street, Pendleton, Salford of pleurisy and pneumonia. He was aged 35. Present at his death was his father who still resided at Vaughan Street, Llandudno.
Although Arthur Fildes is commemorated on the Llandudno war memorials, he is not regarded as being one of the “war dead” as his illness was not seen as being attributable to military service. Consequently, he does not have an entry in the records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Where Arthur Fildes is buried is presently unknown. Florence Fildes married John M Pugh in 1925.
Known memorials:
- Llandudno Roll of Honour
- Llandudno War Memorial
- Memorial Chapel, Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno
- Llanrhos Parish War Memorial, All Saints’ Church, Deganwy
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