Research Notes
Arthur Ludlow was a Quaker and Conscientious Objector. He was a prominent member of the Fritchley Quakers.
From his Army Pension Record –
Address, Crich Common, aged 35 years and 5 months; married;
was called up 19/05/17; not granted exemption on conscientious grounds; refused medical examination; next of kin Catherine Ludlow (wife) née Smith, married 07/09/1907 at Friends Meeting House in Fritchley; children Elisabeth (04/09/08), Arthur Wilfred (08/06/10)
18/05/17 In ? awaiting trial. Tried by D.C.M and sentenced to imprisonment without hard labour for 112 days for disobeying a lawful command given by his superior officer; 02/06/17 to civil prison in Wormwood Scrubbs; 31/08/17 returned to duty; 01/09/17 posted; 03/09/17 in Guard Room awaiting trial; 13/09/17 Tried by D.C.M. and sentenced to undergo imprisonment with hard labour for 18 months for "Disobeying in such a manner as to shew a wilful defiance of authority a lawful command given personally by his superior officer in the exection of his office". To H.M. civil prison in Durham' discharged 31/10/17 being no longer physically fit for War Service. Liable to be sent a Statuory order on (31.10.18) requiring him to present himself for medical examination under the military service. Review of exemptions Oct 1917
Occupation clerk; address The Briars, Crich Common; character bad; born 1887; no pension; 40% disability not the result of nor aggravated by military service.
During September 1917, the Monthly Meeting of Fritchlley Friends reported that Arthur Ludlow was awaiting his second court-martial in Sunderland, and this following letter was sent to him.
Dear Arthur Ludlow,
Our minds at this time have been drawn out in loving sympathy with thee in the stand thou art making for the Truth as thou and we have seen it, and we desire to encourage thee to be faithful to thy convictions. No sacrifice that is called for by our Lord and Master and which is willingly offered can be in vain.
Both Henry Smith and thou art often on our minds and we trust, yea, believe that you will be so supported that you will come out of this furnace, as did the three faithful ones of old, without even the smell of fire upon your garments. Let patience have its perfect work and if it please our Heavenly Father may the days of your captivity be shortened.
We are with love thy friends.
Signed in and on behalf of Fritchley Monthly Meeting
of Friends, held 5th of ninth month 1917.
Edward Watkins
Clerk this time.
This letter was not delivered to Arthur Ludlow; evidently it had been censored. Arthur Ludlow had already served a sentence of 112 days at Wormwood Scrubs prison. The Sunderland court-martial sentenced him to eighteen months hard labour, although his health was rapidly worsening. He did not complete the sentence, for urgent appeals on his behalf to the War Office eventually led to his release on health grounds. Arthur Ludlow was nursed back to health by his wife and the support of Friends and although he continued to suffer from severe arthritis, he lived to the age of 80 and gave much to the life and worship of Fritchley Meeting.
Read more about the Fritchley Conscientious Objectors.
1901 Census: Shardlow
| Forename | Surname | Relationship | Age | Occupation | Where born |
| Arthur H | Ludlow | visitor | 19 | Railway Clerk | Derby |
1911 Census: Crich Common
| Forename | Surname | Relationship | Age | Occupation | Where born |
| Arthur Herbert | Ludlow | Head | 29 | Railway Clerk | Derby |
| Catherine Sargent | wife | 30 | Belper | ||
| Elisabeth | daughter | 2 | Derby | ||
| Arthur Wilfred | son | 9 mo | Fritchley | ||
| Doris | Bowmer | 14 | Nurse maid | Crich |
Arthur Ludlow marrying Catherine Sargent Smith 7th September 1907 at the Friends Meeting House on Fritchley
Arthur Ludlow lived that the Briars which is on the Common between Crich and Fritchley.
It was built in 1907 as two semi-detached villas by Mr. John Smith of Belper for his two daughters and sons-in-law who were Mr and Mrs George Davidson and Mr and Mrs Arthur Ludlow.
By 1917 the Davidsons had moved away to take up farming in another area and it was then that Arthur and Catherine Ludlow decided to take over the whole building and set up a Guest House. From that time until 1957 many people enjoyed their visits to "The Briars", people from all walks of life and from all parts of the world. Mr. Ramsey Macdonald was a famous guest there. The meals served at "The Briars" were of a strictly vegetarian diet. The Ludlows were staunch Quakers. Catherine's grandfather, John Sargent, being the founder of the Society of Friends in Fritchley village.
Arthur and Catherine Ludlow