Arthur Edwin Still was born in Southampton, Hampshire, one of the seven children of Edwin John Still (1861-1945) and Selina Still née Stickland (1863-1928). His birth was registered in the 4th quarter of 1884 in the South Stoneham registration district, Hampshire.
In the 1891 census he was shown as aged 6 years, living at 124 Milton Road, Fitzhugh, Southampton, Hampshire, with his parents and two sisters; Eva Maud Still (1886-1980) and Beatrice Mary Still (b.1888). His father was listed as a shipping clerk.
UK Railway Employment Records show that on 16 December 1899 he was employed by the London and South Western Railway Company (L&SWR) as a messenger in the Docks Department, Southampton, @ 5 shillings per week. His pay rose to 7/- p.w. in January 1900 and to 10/- p.w. in January 1901.
He was described as a dock clerk in the 1901 census, living at 113 Milton Road, Southampton, with his parents and four siblings: Eva; Beatrice; Ernest Albert Still (1892-1988) and Frederick George Still (1895-1972). His father was also shown as a dock clerk.
He was in receipt of various weekly pay rises: 14/- from January 1902; 18/- from 4 February 1903; £1 from 24 February 1904. On 7 February 1905 he was promoted to Tally Clerk @ £1-3s-0d p.w. A further weekly pay rise of £1-5s-0d was awarded on 13 September 1909.
When his father completed the 1911 census return form he was described as a dock clerk employed by the L&SWR, living in a six roomed property at 122 Millbrook Road, Freemantle, Southampton, together with his parents and his four surviving siblings: Eva; Beatrice; Ernest and Frederick. The form showed that his parents had seven children but that two had died. His father and brother, Ernest, were also shown as dock clerks employed by the L&SWR. His youngest brother, Frederick, was shown as an office boy working for the L&SWR, whilst his sisters: Eva was a sewing machinist - tailoring and Beatrice was a sewing machinist- flags.
He continued to receive weekly pay rises: £1-6s-0d from 4 April 1911; £1-7s-6d from 6 December 1911; £1-9s-6d from 4 December 1913; £1-11s-6d from 4 December 1914 and £1-12s-6d from 4 December 1915.
He enlisted as a Private in the 14th Battalion, Royal Hampshire Regiment, service number 25808, but was transferred to the regiment's 1st Battalion. He died of wounds, aged 33 years, on 23 April 1918 and his body was buried in Plot 6, Row E, Grave 19 in the Lapugnoy Military Cemetery, Chem. de Lilliers, 62122 Lapugnoy, France.
On 9 September 1918 his army effects totalling £12-14s-1d were sent to his father who was also sent his £8-0s-0d war gratuity on 5 December 1919. He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.
He is shown as Still A.E. on the Waterloo WW1 war memorial, Waterloo Station, London, SE1. His name is also listed on the Southampton Cenotaph, Watts (West) Park. Above Bar Street. Southampton. He is commemorated on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's website and on the Imperial War Museum's Lives of the First World War website.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
