2nd Lieutenant Arnold James Beal was born in 1894, the eldest child of Arnold James and Laura Beal and the brother of Frank, Winifred and Laura. In 1901 the family was living in Marlborough Road and 10 years later they were at “Newlyn,” Ivy Park Road, Ranmoor.

Arnold was with the 12th Battalion, the York and Lancaster Regiment when he was killed on 1st July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, aged 22 years.

He is commemorated on his parents’ grave in Fulwood Graveyard. The inscription reads:

also of Arnold James Beal eldest son of the above
who was killed in action in France
July 1st 1916, aged 22 years

His name is also on the memorials at St John’s Ranmoor and Beacon Methodist Church at Nether Green.