Arthur was born in Wolverhampton on 15th January 1929 to Howard and Constance Milburn.  Most of his Grammar School years (1938-1945) were during the Second World War.  At school he enjoyed participating in the activities of the cadet force and was promoted to Lance Corporal in his final year.  He was awarded his Certificate A for shooting and enjoyed clay shooting throughout his life.  He spent many weekends and holidays working on a farm near Shifnal where he gained an understanding of farming life and an interest in pursuing farming as a career. 

In 1947 he was called up for National Service and joined the South Staffordshire Regiment.  Army life suited him and he enjoyed a wide range of activities.  He spent time in Oswestry, Catterick and Northern Ireland, where he was assigned to a training battalion.

In 1949 Arthur was introduced to Patricia Hughes at a friend’s 21st birthday party and they were married in September 1954 and subsequently had two children, Carol and Nigel. 

Also in 1949 Arthur completed his National Service and had to decide whether to pursue his love of farming or join his father in the family business.  He had been offered a place as a pupil farmer at Harper Adams but, with encouragement from his father, he opted to start his career in finance and joined the National Clothing & Supply Company in Wolverhampton, which had been founded by his Great Uncle after the First World War.  In the main it was a credit company, but also owned a number of stores and during the war manufactured refrigerators, pots and pans, and even the propeller bosses for spitfire aircraft.  In the 60’s Arthur succeeded his father as Managing Director and took great pride in the company and its history, which meant it was a difficult decision to sell to Cattles Holdings, a public company, in 1971.  However, he accepted it was the best choice for the future of the business and he joined the Cattles main board but remained in Wolverhampton running the original, expanding company.  In 1984, the regional offices were consolidated in Hull and this precipitated a move to Hull to take on a new role as board director responsible for group administrative functions.  It was an enormous upheaval for Arthur and Pat to move to West Ella and to leave family and friends behind, but the 38 years in East Yorkshire were very happy and they embraced living in a new part of the country and making new friends. 

Arthur and Pat enjoyed family holidays in Wales throughout their lives.  For many years they had a caravan in Tywyn, and then decided to buy a holiday home in Aberdovey, and finally a larger property to accommodate the growing family and where they could spend more time during their retirement years.  The move to East Yorkshire did not deter them from making the 200+ mile journey from the east coast to the west coast and after Pat passed away in 2013, Arthur continued to drive himself there up until he was aged 92.

Aside from business, Arthur’s main interests were his love of the countryside, game fairs, country shows and gardening.  He was also a real car enthusiast and a member of Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire car club in the 1950’s, and a keen member of fellowship clubs.

From his mid 20’s Arthur was a member of Wolverhampton Round Table where he was both Chairman and President and went on to join Wolverhampton 41 Club, and then Hull Wyke 41 Club after the move to East Yorkshire.  Together with a group of ex Round-Tablers he was also involved in starting the first 51 Club in the UK, a fellowship club which was founded originally in Belgium by ex-Tablers.

Family life was very important to Arthur and he was immensely proud of his granddaughters Rebecca and Olivia.  He was lucky enough to see them grow up, graduate, and become successful in their chosen careers.

Arthur will always be remembered as a devoted husband to Pat during their 59 years of marriage, a loving father to Carol and Nigel, a kind and thoughtful Father-in-law to Deborah and Robert, and a wise and loving grandfather to Rebecca and Olivia.  Above all, he was a true gentleman who is missed immensely by his family.