Ernst Julius Arndt was born 8 January 1887 at Zarske Selo near St Petersburg in Russia; he died in Egbaston February 1950. He was the son of Julius Arndt and Johanna Elise Behrend.  He was christened in St Katharinen Kirche, St Petersburg.

In 1907 he travelled on SS Grosser Kurfurst from Bremen to New York and worked i Pittsburgh where he learned to ride.

He served in the German signals corps during WWI. This may have called the 'nachrichtentruppe.'

He was decorated with Iron Cross 1^st and 2^nd Class.