Description
Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, GV, 35 Lance Sergeant Arthur Leatham Temple, South Nottinghamshire Hussars Yeomanry.
Officially impressed: “35 L. Sgt A.L. Temple. Notts: (S.N.H.) Yeo.”
On original silk ribbon, mounted for wear in brooch pin.
The Nottingham Evening Post, 20th May 1912 recalls the award ceremony:
“Sergeants TEMPLE and Sergeant Hunt, of A Squadron of the South Notts Hussars, were yesterday, after drumhead service in camp, the recipients of the Territorial Efficiency Medal, which was pinned on their breasts by the Commanding Officer, Colonel F.E. Seely.”
Sergeant Temple was a long time sportsman with his local “A” Squadron of the South Notts Hussars, his successes being mentioned in a number of local events circa 1905-1911.
In 1908, he was presented a prize in the Yeomanry Sports.
“Captain Thomson’s prizes for the Best Horses, 1st Corpl Smith, of the Gun Section, and 2nd, CORPORAL TEMPLE, A Squadron.”
He was a regular rider in the races, the Notts Evening Post of 30th March 1909 also notes his riding, and his apparent friendly rivalry with Sergeant Hunt, who also seems to appear besides him in Sports and got his TFEM at the same time.
“For the Yeomanry Race, there were only 5 runners, and once more Sergeant Wagstaffe carried off the Trophy, but he only overhauled Sergeant Hunt close home, to win by a length. Third Place fell to Corporal Temple, who had a nasty spill in the race, but pluckily remounted and finished.”
A further mention in the Nottingham Guardian, 13th Nov 1911 recalls A Squadron’s Dinner:
“KEEN YEOMANRY, RECORD OF A SOUTH NOTTS SQUADRON
…..Captain Ley, having apologised for the absence owing to the fog of the adjutant, thanked the company for their keenness, and the way they did their work in Camp. Alluding to the successes achieved, he mentioned that last year the squadron came 1st and 3rd in the Regimental Point to Point race, being represented by Sergeant Hunt and SERGEANT TEMPLE, (Hear, hear.)He feared this might be the last time he would have the honour of sitting there as an Officer of A Squadron, with which he had been connected since 1900…”
Arthur Leatham Temple was born in Liverpool on 28th January 1882, the son of Frederick, a Yorkshireman and Fanny Jane (Talbot), from Whatton, Nottingham.
The family settled in Basford, Nottingham during Arthur’s Childhood and he never seems to have left.
By 1901 a 19 year old Arthur was working as a “Traveller”, the same as his father.
The award of the medal, typically for 12 years of service with the Yeomanry, would line up with signing up about 18-20 years old.
By 1921, he was living in Colston Bassett, Notts, where he worked as both a Grocer and Sub Post Master there.
With his wife he married in 1913, Ellen Winifred Evelyn (born Upper Broughton, Notts 1889)
In 1939 he worked as a Stud Groom, living with his wife at Len Cottage, The Pstures in Bingham, Nottinghamshire.
He later died in Bingham, Notts on 27th February 1964.
