Arthur William Damant was born in Melton on 21st July 1882. In 1911, he was working as a footman in Twickenham, Middlesex. By 1916, Arthur had moved to Egerton Lodge, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, where he was also employed as a footman.

Arthur enlisted on 16th March 1916 and joined the 7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters. He started his training at South Somercotes in Lincolnshire. Here, it was discovered that Arthur suffered from osteoarthritis. On 24th June 1916, he was discharged from the services as “being not likely to become a proficient soldier”.

In 1939, Arthur was still single and working as a butler to Brigadier General Charles R G Mayne, who had commanded the 19th Brigade during the Great War.