Arthur Herbert Ludlow

Conscientious Objector

Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) 86634 3rd Battalion

Arthur Ludlow was a Quaker and Conscientious Objector; he was a prominent member of the Fritchley Quakers.

Army Pension Record
Arthur Ludlow was called up 19/05/17 aged 35 years and 5 months; married and living at The Briars, Crich Common; occupation clerk. His next of kin was his wife Catherine Ludlow (née Smith), whom he married 07/09/1907 at the Friends Meeting House in Fritchley. They had two children, Elisabeth (born 04/09/08), and Arthur Wilfred (born 08/06/10). He refused medical examination and was not granted exemption on conscientious grounds.
18/05/17 In ? awaiting trial. Tried by District Court Marshall (D.C.M.) and sentenced to imprisonment without hard labour for 112 days for disobeying a lawful command given by his superior officer
02/06/17 Sent to civil prison in Wormwood Scrubbs
31/08/17 Returned to duty
01/09/17 Posted
03/09/17 In Guard Room awaiting trial
13/09/17 Tried by D.C.M. and sentenced to undergo imprisonment with hard labour for 18 months for "Disobeying in such a manner as to shew a wilful defiance of authority a lawful command given personally by his superior officer in the exection of his office". Sent to H.M. civil prison in Durham.
31/10/17 Discharged being no longer physically fit for War Service.
Liable to be sent a Statuory order on 31/10/18 requiring him to present himself for medical examination under the military service.
Review of exemptions Oct 1917
His character was recoded as "bad" , no pension granted because his 40% disability was not the result of, nor aggravated by, military service.

"The Quakers of Fritchley" by Walter Lowndes (1986)
During September 1917, the Monthly Meeting of Fritchley Friends reported that Arthur Ludlow was awaiting his second court-martial in Sunderland, and this following letter was sent to him.

Dear Arthur Ludlow,
Our minds at this time have been drawn out in loving sympathy with thee in the stand thou artmaking for the Truth as thou and we have seen it, and we desire to encourage thee to be faithful to thy convictions. No sacrifice that is called for by our Lord and Master and which is willingly offered can be in vain.
Both Henry Smith and thou art often on our minds and we trust, yea, believe that you will be so supported that you will come out of this furnace, as did the three faithful ones of old, without even the smell of fire upon your garments. Let patience have its perfect work and if it please our Heavenly Father may the days of your captivity be shortened.
We are with love thy friends.
Signed in and on behalf of Fritchley Monthly Meeting
of Friends, held 5th of ninth month 1917.
Edward Watkins
Clerk this time.

This letter was not delivered to Arthur Ludlow; evidently it had been censored. Arthur Ludlow had already served a sentence of 112 days at Wormwood Scrubs prison. The Sunderland court-martial sentenced him to eighteen months hard labour, although his health was rapidly worsening. He did not complete the sentence, for urgent appeals on his behalf to the War Office eventually led to his release on health grounds. Arthur Ludlow was nursed back to health by his wife and the support of Friends and although he continued to suffer from severe arthritis, he lived to the age of 80 and gave much to the life and worship of Fritchley Meeting.

Arthur Ludlow quaker wedding

Arthur Ludlow marrying Catherine Sargent Smith 7th September 1907 at the
Friends Meeting House in Fritchley

Arthur Ludlow lived at the Briars which is on the Common between Crich and Fritchley.

The Briars at Crich

It was built in 1907 as two semi-detached villas by Mr. John Smith of Belper for his two daughters and sons-in-law who were Mr and Mrs George Davidson and Mr and Mrs Arthur Ludlow.
By 1917 the Davidsons had moved away to take up farming in another area and it was then that Arthur and Catherine Ludlow decided to take over the whole building and set up a Guest House. From that time until 1957 many people enjoyed their visits to "The Briars", people from all walks of life and from all parts of the world. Mr. Ramsay Macdonald was a famous guest there. The meals served at "The Briars" were of a strictly vegetarian diet. The Ludlows were staunch Quakers. Catherine's grandfather, John Sargent, being the founder of the Society of Friends in Fritchley village.

Arhur and Catherine Ludlow

Arthur and Catherine Ludlow

Read more about the Fritchley Conscientious Objectors.

 

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Shardlow

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Arthur H Ludlow visitor 19 Railway Clerk Derby

RG13 piece 3212 folio 149 page 32

1911: Crich Common

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Arthur Herbert Ludlow Head 29 Railway Clerk Derby
Catherine Sargent Ludlow wife 30   Belper
Elisabeth Ludlow daughter 2   Derby
Arthur Wilfred Ludlow son 9 mo   Fritchley
Doris Bowmer   14 Nurse maid Crich

RG14PN20984 RG78PN1251 RD436 SD4 ED13 SN43