Arthur Driver was born in Keighley, the second of five children of William and Emma Driver. In 1901 the family were living at 37 Granville Street, Keighley, but by 1911 they had moved to 18 Victoria Avenue, Shipley, where 16-year-old Arthur is described as a bank clerk. On 21 January 1916 the Shipley Times & Express reported: “Gunner Arthur Driver, eldest son of Mr and Mrs William Driver, 18 Victoria Avenue, Saltaire, has been awarded the D.C.M. “Gunner Driver is in the 11th Battery. 4th West Riding Howitzer Brigade, R.F.A. and recently he attained his majority. “He joined the forces in September 1914 and went to France in the middle of April last, since which time he has been on active service. He was wounded on December

19th last but has now rejoined his battery. “When he enlisted he was in the London City and Midland Bank at Otley and previous to that was at the Kirkgate branch of the same bank at Bradford. “A native of Keighley, he attended the Trade and Grammar School in that town where he won several prizes in athletic events. “He attended the Spencer Street Sunday School, Keighley, up to leaving the town five years ago. “He is a playing member of the Moorhead Amateurs AFC,Saltaire, which is well represented in the forces. One of his brothers, Wm I Driver, has been attested under

Lord Derby’s scheme.” Before the year was out, we read on 17 November, that Arthur’s courage has been recognised again: “Gunner Arthur Driver, Royal Field Artillery, of Victoria Avenue, Shipley, has been awarded the Military Medal. “He is the eldest son of Mr William Driver, a former member of Keighley Corporation. Gunner Driver was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in January of this year. He is 21 years of age and enlisted at the outbreak of war. He was formerly with the London City and Midland Bank at Otley.

“He has been at the front since April of last year and was slightly wounded during a gas attack in December last.” The final mention comes just before Christmas 1916 when the paper reported: “Gunner Arthur Driver, RFA, of Victoria Avenue, arrived home on leave on Monday and was accorded a very hearty reception. “Gunner Driver, by his heroism, has won both the D.C.M. and the Military Medal. “He was 20 years of age when he joined the forces early after the outbreak of the war. He has been in the thick of the fighting for over a year and a half. He has been once wounded. “His brother, Signaller Will Driver, RFA, is at present in Ireland.”