Flight Lieutenant Arthur Ellis Horbury Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
The Man Arthur Ellis Horbury was born on Thursday 6th January 1921 in Barnsley, son of George Arthur and Mary Jane nee Laws.
On 30th August 1938 aged 18 he joined the Post Office as a Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist in Barnsley.
Following the outbreak of World War II Arthur enlisted into the Royal Air Force Reserve with service number 1066131 at RAF Padgate between September 1939 and February 1940. He saw service in North Africa and Italy and on 27th January 1944 aged 23 was granted a Commission as a Pilot Officer with a new number 174130, in the General Duties Branch. He was promoted to war substantive Flying Officer on 27th July. In 1945 he married Margaret Mary Lilian ClunieMargaret Mary Lilian Clunie, who he had met whilst stationed in Alexandria. On 27th January 1946 he was promoted to war substantive Flight Lieutenant
Arthur was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star with clasp ‘North West Africa 1942-43’, Italy Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45 and left the RAF on 4th November 1946.
Eventually they returned to Suffolk and settled in Great Barton, having two daughters, Patricia June (Patsy) born in 1948 and Margaret Jean (Jean)1957.
On 30th August 1938 aged 18 he joined the Post Office as a Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist in Barnsley.
Following the outbreak of World War II Arthur enlisted into the Royal Air Force Reserve with service number 1066131 at RAF Padgate between September 1939 and February 1940. He saw service in North Africa and Italy and on 27th January 1944 aged 23 was granted a Commission as a Pilot Officer with a new number 174130, in the General Duties Branch. He was promoted to war substantive Flying Officer on 27th July. In 1945 he married Margaret Mary Lilian ClunieMargaret Mary Lilian Clunie, who he had met whilst stationed in Alexandria. On 27th January 1946 he was promoted to war substantive Flight Lieutenant
Arthur was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star with clasp ‘North West Africa 1942-43’, Italy Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45 and left the RAF on 4th November 1946.
Eventually they returned to Suffolk and settled in Great Barton, having two daughters, Patricia June (Patsy) born in 1948 and Margaret Jean (Jean)1957.
Arthur remained with the Post Office becoming a sub postmaster and in the 1960s lived with Margaret and daughters at 142 Vaughan Road Harrow, Middlesex and later at Walnut Tree Cottage, East Barton Road, Great Barton, Bury St. Edmunds Suffolk.
Sadly, Arthur died prematurely on 4th March 1988 aged 67 at home of cancer. His wife, Margaret went onto have a successful career as a Councillor and became Mayor of St Edmundsbury Borough Council in West Suffolk 1999 – 2000. She died on 1st December 2007.
Sadly, Arthur died prematurely on 4th March 1988 aged 67 at home of cancer. His wife, Margaret went onto have a successful career as a Councillor and became Mayor of St Edmundsbury Borough Council in West Suffolk 1999 – 2000. She died on 1st December 2007.
The Story The medals awarded to Arthur Ellis Horbury were acquired following confirmation from the MoD Medal Office of his entitlement in January 2022.
Arthur was researched following the acquisition of his wife, Margaret’s, Mayoral Jewel at Malvern Flea Market in August 2021.
Whilst researching Margaret, her obituary revealed that she met and Married Arthur, a Flight Lieutenant, in 1945 whilst they were serving Alexandria during World War II.
The rest was straightforward using Ancestry.UK, Forces War Records, London Gazette and Find a Will. Whilst not a substantial biography, it does remember a man who served his country and the story is a lovely piece of serendipity, on the back of finding his wife’s Past Mayoral Jewel.
Arthur was researched following the acquisition of his wife, Margaret’s, Mayoral Jewel at Malvern Flea Market in August 2021.
Whilst researching Margaret, her obituary revealed that she met and Married Arthur, a Flight Lieutenant, in 1945 whilst they were serving Alexandria during World War II.
The rest was straightforward using Ancestry.UK, Forces War Records, London Gazette and Find a Will. Whilst not a substantial biography, it does remember a man who served his country and the story is a lovely piece of serendipity, on the back of finding his wife’s Past Mayoral Jewel.
Medal Details:
- 1939-45 Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Africa Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Italy Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
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This page last updated 15 Apr 22
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