Arthur was born on 2 September 1918 in Willesden, London to London born parents David Hyam and Dina Nora nee Levy and he had two older sisters Viola and Barbara. David worked as a secretary for the Sun Life Assurance company and married Dina in 1910. Arthur was educated at University College school and at Clifton and was articled to a chartered accountant when war broke out. In 1939, Arthur was staying with his parents at the Kerley Hotel in Bournemouth.

He volunteered and was posted to the Army Pay Corps from where he repeatedly applied for a transfer for more active service. He was then posted to the Royal Armoured Corps. Arthur was captured in the Western Desert operations and transported as a prisoner of war to the POW camp PG 53 Sforzacosta, Macerata, Italy.

There are several reports that Arthur, who arrived at the camp the day before, was murdered by the Italian sentries. He was shot for having his foot over the inner trip wire 50 yards away from the wall that was lined with soldiers about 5pm on 24 February 1943. Camp guards Massimiliano Capurso and Clemente Fantacci were tried and found guilty at the General Headquarters Central Mediterranean Forces court in Padua. From the book: ‘Some Corner of a Foreign Field’ by Janet Kinrade Dethick