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
- Jane Elizabeth 1868 Nee Tribe– Born in Gosport, Hampshire
- Lillian Kathleen 1898-1952 Born 29th July 1898 in Malta (Sliema??)
Military:
Military Milestones
- 1891 Sergeant (1891 Census)
- 1895 Soldier (Wayfarers Lodge)
- 1900 Quarter Master Sergeant, Royal Artillery (Wayfarers Lodge)
- 1901 Quarter Master Sergeant, Royal Artillery (1901 Census)
- 1911 Sergeant Major (Warrant Officer) 95th Company, Royal Garrison Artillery (1911 Census)
- 1911 Warrant Officer, Bermuda (Broad Arrow Lodge)
- 1912 Honorary Lieutenant - Royal Regiment of Artillery (27th April 1912 – London Gazette)
Masonic:
One of the 25 petitioners not named individually on the Warrant of Constitution. 5th Worshipful Master of the Lodge 1907 -1908.Masonic Milestones
- L1926 Wayfarers Lodge, Malta
- Initiated 13 December 1895 – 30th September 1898 (Cleared)
- Passed 10th January 1896
- Raised 14th February 1896
- Grand Lodge Certificate 27th February 1896
- L1926 Wayfarers Rejoined 8th June 1900 – 18th April 1913 (Resigned)
- L2976 Comrades Founder 6th August 1903 – 1941? (Upon death)
- L1890 Broadarrow, Bermuda Joined 20th October 1911 – 31st March 1913 (Resigned)
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.