ARTHUR VODDEN

Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant, 8th Field Squadron, Royal Engineers (Service Number: 1866911)

Arthur Vodden was born in Cardiff on 27 Feb 1907 to George Shellabear Vodden, a coal trimmer in the docks, originally from Cardiff and Laura Vodden née Stephens, originally from Devonport, Plymouth.  The Vodden family lived 17 Swansea Street, Splott at the time of the 1911 and 1921 census. Arthur attended Moorland Road School and in the 1921 census he was working as an apprentice carpenter. He served in the army from 1927 to 1931 and rose to the rank of Lance Corporal.  In 1933 he married Margaret Pearce in Cardiff and they lived at 78 Keppoch Street, Roath. They had a daughter together, Georgina Elizabeth Vodden, born in 1939.  Arthur and his brother William owned a leather merchants business on City Road.  In WWII he was attached to the Royal Engineers and won a Military Medal for leadership and bravery in a heavy German attack at Commines, France just before the evacuation at Dunkirk. He received his medal from the King in early 1941. He served as Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant with the 8th Field Squadron, Royal Engineers.  He died on 30 Dec 1944 aged 37 when serving in Italy. He is buried at Faenza War Cemetery (grave V. C. 5.).  Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.