The Reverend Arthur Cecil Gaul was born in Bognor Regis in 1880 and studied at Keble College, Oxford where he gained a Bachelor's Degree in 1902 and a Master's Degree in 1906. Afterwards attending Ely Theological College, he became a Deacon in 1904 and an Ordained Priest in 1905. Subsequently a Curate in several churches in South Africa between 1910-14, he enlisted as a Private in the South African Army and saw service in German South West Africa in 1915. Discharged in August 1915, he re-attested in June 1916 as a Chaplain with the rank of Captain in the 1st South African Infantry Brigade Reserves, leaving for service in France in November 1916. He was discharged from the Army in June 1917. After the War he was appointed to Church service in Aden and later in India.