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Arthur Walderne St. Clair Tisdall was born at Girgaum, Bombay, on 12th July 1890 to The Reverend William St. Clair and Marian Louisa (nee Gray). His father was a Minister in the Anglican Church and, in 1892, following a short stay in England, he served as Secretary of the Church of England's Missionary Society in Isfahan, Persia. Arthur had two siblings born in India, Irene (b. 1888) and Edith (b. 1889); four born in Persia, John Theodore (b. 1894), Edward (b. 1896), Ruth (b. 1897) and Violet (b. 1899); and one born in Bedford, Francis (b. 1901).
Arthur was educated at Bedford School and, excelling academically, he graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge, with a double first-class honours degree, as well as being awarded the Chancellor's Gold Medal for Classics. Whilst at Cambridge, he joined the OTC, but would later be critical of the organisation. In 1913, he passed the combined Indian and Home Civil Service examination. On 15th January 1914, Arthur entered the RNVR as an Ordinary Seaman, and his occupation was recorded as a Civil Servant residing at Golders Green. |
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Arthur (back centre) with his family
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On the formation of the Royal Naval Division, Arthur was placed on the nominal roll of Drake Battalion and promoted to Able Seaman on September 15th. On returning from Antwerp, he was immediately granted a temporary commission as a Sub-Lieutenant and, in November, posted to Anson Battalion.
Arthur's platoon was assigned as the beach party to the 29th Division at V Beach during the Gallipoli landings. Whilst sheltering in an abandoned Turkish trench on May 6th, he was shot in the chest by a Turkish sniper and died without regaining consciousness. His service record incorrectly records the date of death as the 9th. He was buried the following day where he fell but, unfortunately, his grave would be lost.
There was a considerable gap between the landings on the peninsula and Arthur's actions on the day being recognised. Finally, after his father pursued the matter, reports from numerous people involved, and an investigation ordered by General Paris, Arthur was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. His was the first VC won by the Royal Naval Division.
Arthur is named on the Helles Memorial as well as the memorial at Deal's St George's Church. His name is remembered in various locations at Bedford School and there is a Victoria Cross Commemorative Paving Stone bearing his name at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire. |
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