His parents were fairly strict at keeping to the rules of Judaism. At school during R.E. the Jewish boys were sent to the back of the room and told to read the old testament. Arthur was interested in what the teacher was saying and learnt about Jesus. During the exam, the boys were told to just answer the old testament questions but he also answered the questions on Jesus. He won the prize, which was a bible, and had to smuggle it home so his mother didn't see.

Arthur said that they did play football during Christmas on the Western Front.

During a quiet moment on the front, Arthur had to go home for a family reason and asked his commanding officer if he could have a few days off. The CO said that he could if he brought him a bottle of the Family whiskey (Teacher's Whiskey - no relation). He did so, and presented it to the CO having bought it from a local off-license, declaring that it was from the family and the CO took him rather seriously.