Use the below links to display a list of men by surname that appears on the War Memorial.
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Frederick was the youngest of John Frederick and Maria Arnaud's six children. He was educated at Holmcroft and Quernmore Schools in Bromley, and then Merchant Taylors' School before joining the staff of Messrs Thomas Cook and Son. He was a trainee booking clerk in their office at 86 Oxford Street, which had opened in 1908.
Frederick joined the Royal Flying Corps as a mechanic in May 1915, going to the Front in June as a despatch rider. He was recommended for a commission and went on to train at the Cadet School at General HQ in France.
On Thursday 16th December 1915, before commencing training, Fred wrote to his future sister-in-law, Dot, from France:
‘Dear Dot
... I don't know if you have heard that I have applied for a Commission. I am going to the Cadet Training school out here and I shall be leaving II Wing. Headquarters on the 22nd of this month and I shall go down to the base ... It will be funny being off a motor-bike and I shall miss it at first I suppose. It has been very hard work riding lately as the roads are getting awful. My bike is under repair at the moment, waiting for several new parts as the others were worn out. I and these other friends sleep in the boiler room of the chateau and we are very comfortable, having our own mess etc,; we each pay four francs each week to buy ourselves extras. I am very sorry to be leaving all my friends and it will be rotten being amongst all new fellows for Christmas. I had some slight hopes of being home, but it is not at all likely. ... The weather has been very foggy this last week, also much rain, it is always raining out here
...Fred'
After training he was posted to the Northumberland Fusiliers, joining them on active service on 13th March 1916. Shortly afterwards he was attached to the Brigade Trench Mortar Battery, and was with it at the time of his death.
In the second half of June, Fred wrote a letter to his parents, to be opened in the event of his death. Extracts from this letter were copied by hand by his father and circulated to close family. A copy was sent to one of Fred's older brothers, Stanley Arnaud, who was an engineer serving on a Royal Navy destroyer.
‘My Darling Father and Mother
This is just a short letter to say Goodbye in case anything happens - the Big Push is coming off in about a weeks time, we go over the top first and of course ‘accidents will happen', and I shouldn't like to get knocked out without leaving a note behind, hence this letter. We all feel very confident about ‘The Day' and I think the Boche will get an awful shock, it might mean the beginning of the end of the war - Our Division and our Brigade in particular, have been given one of the most important points to take - I hope we do well at all events we are going to do our best. Stokes Mortars will be to the front if it is humanly possible to get them there, we are all hoping that we shall do great things - You mustn't be upset if I get knocked out, as I wouldn't be out of this for anything, after all we are only doing our bit, and not a very large one at that.
You are the very best Father and Mother a boy could have and I have had a very happy and jolly life - I am afraid I have done several things in the past that have annoyed you, but I daresay you will forgive me for these.
It is Sunday today and has turned out quite warm and fine - the Church bells are ringing, you would hardly think that there was a war on………
Remember me to all my friends at home and anybody I know.
My very best love to all at home and especially to you dear Father and Mother
God Bless you all
Fred'
‘Just heard we are to be in the Trenches and firing during the bombardment, as well as going over the top, it will be a pretty warm time for us, not much chance I am afraid'
Fred's last letter to his brother Stanley was written on Sunday 18th June 1916.
‘My Dear Old Boy
Shouldn't like to go without leaving you a line, we have been jolly good pals and had some topping times ... We go over the top next week, it will be the biggest thing of the War, we go first, draw first blood at any rate; we are going to give them a warm time; jolly glad I am not missing it; it will help the end of the war...
... Well Good Bye dear old boy, very best of luck
Fred'
The family owned the building business J C Arnaud and Sons. This was closed in 1917, after nearly 70 years, due mainly to the difficulties in the building trade caused by the war.
Thank you to Merchant Taylors' School for their assistance.
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