In honour of the WW1 soldiers named on the Keyworth Memorial on Nottingham Road - the 3 new housing estates Keyworth Rise, Nicker Hill and Spinners Croft all take their street names from the soldiers who gave thier lives in World War One. These caches are placed in honour of their memories - the fallen soldiers are all local to Keyworth in some way. Many of these families were long established in the small community of Keyworth (787 total population made up of 372 males and 415 female - as in 1911 census summary books).
There are 4 men named Disney listed on the WW1 memorial. These are 3 Brothers and 1 Cousin. Thomas & Mary Disney were the parents of William Disney b.1819 and Thomas Disney b.1831. William & Thomas both had sons called Thomas Disney and both were born in 1852. William's son Thomas married Emma Simpson and were the parents of Arnold, Albert & Claude. Thomas's son Thomas married Agnes Attewell and were the parents of Arthur Disney.
Arnold Disney - Arnold was born in 1887 at Keyworth and was the 8th child of Thomas & Emma Disney (née Simpson) of Main Street Keyworth, both born in Keyworth and who were married in 1872 at Keyworth. His siblings were John, Sarah, Martha, Bertha, Annie, Oliver, Maggie, Albert and Claude all Keyworth born. His Fathers parents were William & Sarah Disney (nee Barlow). His Mothers parents were John & Martha Simpson (nee Pike).
Arnold and his brother Claude were members of the football team of 1910 which comprised only Disney men (see photo). Arnold was a member of the Disney football team in 1910 that famously defeated the Keyworth Village team.
In 1891 The family are living on Rose Hill (Arnold aged 3) but by 1901 they had moved to Main Street (Arnold aged 13). Arnold became a signwriter and moved to Liverpool. His cousin Annie Rebecca Marriott gave birth to his daughter in 1907, Adeline Disney Marriott and they married in 1911. They are found on the 1911 census in Everton, Liverpool with their daughter Adeline and they went on to have 3 other children - Marion 1912, Arthur 1915 (who died before he was one) and Edna 1916. After Arnold died, Annie returned to Main Street Keyworth with her 3 young children. They lived at Post Office Yard, Keyworth.
In the 1911 & 1921 census his parents were still living at Main Street, Keyworth. Thomas died in 1926 and Emma in 1932 addresses still given as Main Street. So all 4 sons of Thomas and Emma fought in the war - their son Oliver who had been a prisoner of war, was the only son to return.
Arnold Disney Private 203840 enlisted at Liverpool, he served with the 2nd battalion Prince of Wales's Volunteers (South Lancashire) Regiment. He died of his wounds on 13th April 1918 aged 30. Medals awarded - The Victory Medal and The British war medal.
Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour', 6 May 1918: 'Disney. Died of wounds, April 13th, 1918. Pte. Arnold Disney, South Lancashires, aged 30, third son of Mr and Mrs T Disney, Keyworth. We never knew what pain he had, we never saw him die, we only know he passed away, without a last good-bye. The third to fall. From his broken-hearted mother, father, sisters, and brothers (one a prisoner of war); left wife and three children.
Disney Grove is named in his (and his brothers Albert, Claude and cousin Arthur's) honour at the new housing estate at Keyworth Rise off Bunny Lane.
The Cache - This is a straight forward cache placed on Main Street where the family were for many years. Please replace as found.
