Walter Arnold
Walter Arnold (c1857-1916)
1891 Living at Bartley Mill, Frant, Sussex: William Arnold (age 72 born West Hoathley), Miller and Farmer - Employer - Widower. With his two sons Walter Arnold (age 34 born Wadhurst), Corn Merchant - Employer, and George Arnold (age 31 born Wadhurst), Corn Merchant - Employer. Also his niece Mildred Mann (age 12 born Sevenoaks. Two servants.[1]
Proprietor of a milling and general engineering business in Paddock Wood, near Tunbridge Wells. This was William Arnold and Sons founded by his father William Arnold and Walter now owned the business in partnership with Henry Hewetson. They commenced trading as the Arnold Motor Carriage Co in Mark Lane, London.
Became the first concessionaire for Benz cars with Henry Hewetson they commencing in 1894.
1896 Summoned for using a horseless carriage at Paddock Wood and fined. Described as a traction-engine proprietor of East Peckham. [2] [3][4]
Walter then started manufacturing Benz cars at his Paddock Wood factory as Arnold Oil Carriages which later became Hewetsons Motor Car Co
In October 1899 the company was registered as Hewetsons
1911 Living at Branbridge House, near Paddock Wood, East Peckham: Walter Arnold (age 54 born Wadhurst, Sussex), Flour Mill Owner Machine Engine Owner and Hop Grower - Employer - Single. With his cousin Catherine Anne (Kate) Bayly nee Arnold (age 47 born West Hoathley, Sussex), married.[5]
1915 Walter Arnold of Branbridges resigns from Tunbridge Wells Farmer's Club due to ill-health.[6]
1916 November. Died
1917 August. Will proven.[7]
1916 Obituary [8]
We regret to announce the death yesterday of Mr. Walter Arnold, of Branbridge House. East Peckham. The deceased gentleman, who was aged sixty, had been in failing health for some time.
Coming of an old Sussex family, which had farmed on the Bayham Estate for nearly half a century, as well as carrying on an important milling industry. Mr. Walter Arnold, like his brother, Mr. George Arnold, was a familiar and popular figure in agricultural in Kent and Sussex. Residing formerly at Bartley Mill, Frant, and latterly at Branbridge, East Peckham, Mr. Arnold was a recognised authority on motor traction and agricultural implements, not to mention milling, hop-growing, and agriculture generally. His judgment and advice were always greatly valued.
He was one of the pioneers in Kent in motor traction. He was Chairman of the Kent Traction Engine Owners' Association, out of which was evolved the National Association, of which he was one the founders, and he did excellent work the time Sir Arthur Boscawen was the Member for Tonbridge securing greater legal facilities for motor haulage.
At the time Sir David Salomons organised the first motor exhibition in England, Mr. Arnold was one of the few members of the Agricultural Association to recognise the great future of automobiles, and he, with his brother, supported the request for the use of the Show Ground for the exhibition, which other members were inclined to oppose.
Mr. Arnold was for many years one of the Judges of the implement section of the Agricultural Show, and materially raised the importance of the Show in this respect. He served two years President of the Farmers' Club - the first of the Presidents to be thus re-elected - and during this period he read several valuable technical papers to the members.
In parochial affairs Mr. Arnold was former Chairman of the Mark Cross Highway Board and a member of the East Peckham Parish Council. He was connected with the Medway Navigation and Conservancy, and took a practical and useful part in the reconstruction scheme, which has now greatly increased the importance of the Upper Medway for barge traffic.
In East Peckham he took a kindly interest, with his brother, in the welfare of his work-people, and the provision of an excellent recreation hall is largely due to his generosity. wide circle friends will regret the death of one who had endeared himself to all, not only his genial nature, but his readiness to place his great practical experience at the disposal of all who his advice.
The funeral will take place Frant Churchyard to-morrow (Saturday) afternoon, at three o'clock.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ 1891 Census
- ↑ Berrow's Worcester Journal (Worcester, England), Saturday, February 01, 1896
- ↑ Reynolds's Newspaper (London, England), Sunday, February 2, 1896
- ↑ The Autocar 1896/02/01
- ↑ 1911 Census
- ↑ Sussex Agricultural Express - Friday 10 September 1915
- ↑ Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser - Friday 10 August 1917
- ↑ Kent & Sussex Courier - Friday 17 November 1916
- The Dawn of Motoring by Erik Johnson and published by Mercedes-Benz UK in 1986