Born Beverley 1884. Son of George and Mary Ann Oxtoby, of Beverley Minster.
A Professional soldier and Reservist. He enlisted in the army on 2 Dec 1902 and was mobilised when war began.
Described as 5 foot, 7.5 inches tall, 120 lbs weight, 32-35 inch chest, brown eyes, dark brown hair, Church of England religion, “very Good” character.
Married at Beverley, on 24 Dec 1916m aged 21. Husband of Theresa Robson (1886-1980), at 57, Flemingate, Beverley (army address). They had six children, Harry, Neville, Ruby, Arthur, Lucy and Dorothy.
Posted to France on 5 Aug 1914. Served in the 1st East Yorkshire Regiment. Wounded in the foot by shrapnel on 3 June 1915. Returned to England and discharged as medically unfit on 1 Dec 1915, after 13 years service. His medical condition was aggravated by war service.
His life ended tragically on Boxing Day 1916, when he was found in Barmston Drain with a work colleague, from Marble Arch Cinema, Beverley, Lily Edwards aged 19. The Coroners verdict was that both had committed suicide.
