BACKGROUND

Arthur Clement Cruttenden was born in Canterbury, Kent, England on the 13^th June 1896, son of Charles & Emily Elizabeth Cruttenden

ATTESTATION

Arthur travelled to Brisbane on the 29^th November 1916 to complete his application. He answered several questions on the document, and we find out he was a single man and gave his occupation as grocer. His next of kin was his mother, Emily of Tyalgum but this was changed to his father, Charles, of Canterbury, Kent

He names Tyalgum as his permanent home in Australia. He had been rejected earlier for enlistment for being under standard chest size. He then signed a declaration confirming he had answered the questions correctly and was willing to voluntarily agree to service in the Military Forces of the Commonwealth of Australia

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CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTING OFFICER

On the second page of the attestation documents the attesting confirms the following; “The foregoing questions were read to the person enlisted in my presence. I have taken care that he understood each question, and his answer to each question has been duly entered as replied to by him”

OATH

He also made the following oath in the presence of the Attesting Officer: “I, Arthur Clements Cruttenden, swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force until the end of the War, and a further four months thereafter unless sooner lawfully discharged, dismissed or removed therefrom: and that I will resist His Majesty’s enemies and case His Majesty’s peace to be kept and maintained; and I will in all matters appertaining to my services faithfully discharge my duty according to law

He then signed a declaration confirming he had answered the questions correctly and was willing to voluntarily agree to service in the Military Forces of the Commonwealth of Australia

SO, HELP ME, GOD.” 

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MEDICAL EXAMINATION

Arthur was 21 years 4 months old when he enlisted. He stood 5 ft 6 ½ inches tall (1.69m) and weighed 110lbs (49kgs). He had a fair complexion, hazel eyes and auburn hair, His eye sight was good. Arthur was Church of England

CERTIFICATE OF MEDICAL EXAMINER

The medical examiner certifies I have examined the abovenamed person, and find that he does not present any of the following conditions, viz: -

Scrofula; phthisis; syphilis; impaired constitution; defective intelligence; defects of vision, voice, or hearing; hernia’ haemorrhoids; varicose veins, beyond a limited extent; marked varicocele with unusually pendent testicle; inveterate cutaneous disease’ chronic ulcers; traces of corporal punishment or evidence of having been marked with the letters D. or B.C; contracted or deformed chest; abnormal curvature of spine; or any other disease or physical defect calculated to unfit him for the duties of a soldier.

He can see the required distance with either eye; his heart and lungs are healthy; he has the free use of his joints and limbs; and he declares he is not subject to fits of any description. I consider him fit for active service

CERTIFICATE OF COMMANDING OFFICER

This is completed during the recruits training. Arthur was in Enoggera training camp when this was completed on 19^th January 1917. The commanding officer certifies that this attestation of the abovenamed person is correct, and that the required forms have been complied with. He then states “I accordingly approve, and appoint him a private with the 49^th Battalion with service number 3387

TRAINING AT RIFLE RANGE CAMP, ENOGGERA

As was the case with men from the Northern Rivers district in New South Wales, they trained at Rifle Range Camp, Enoggera near Brisbane. The Barracks Block was built as accommodation for men in two dormitories, each 36 feet by 22 feet (10.97 x 6.7 metres). Beds or bunks were not provided, instead each man slept on a palliasse with ground sheet on the floor. For many it was their first time away from home. Men from every walk of life, from clerks and teachers to factory and shop workers, were crammed together

Now training for the new recruits began. Firstly, the recruits had to be inducted into military forms of discipline, command, and order. This was partially achieved through a program of basic training carried and, in a sense, was maintained for a long as a man was in the service. It involved marching and drilling with the rifle, cleaning and caring for personal equipment and being supervised and inspected in ways quite different to ordinary civilian life. For example, no boots should be allowed to get in a bad state of wear but must be sent to the bootmaker without delay for repair. Men who were found with hair long and unshaven had to have a haircut and shave

Secondly, after basic training there followed the far more serious exercise of turning a man into a fighting soldier at least partially prepared for the kind of warfare he was about to experience overseas. The topics and exercises in the syllabus of training were a world away from their former lives and included daily physical training, entrenching, wiring, firing rifle grenades, firing the Lewis light machine gun, dealing with gas attack, using hand grenades, using the bayonet, and the routines to be followed in the trenches.

This training was then put into practice during what were called ‘Field Days,’ when men would practice using the skills they had acquired in mock attacks both by day and by night. How well men had learnt to use their weapons, in cooperation with each other in training, would be tested in the harsh reality of the front line. Training could take several months

INNOCULATIONS

All recruits were given a range of inoculations while in camp. The most important jab was to protect against smallpox and typhoid – indeed, having this was an essential precondition of enlisting.

THE UNIFORM

The recruits were issued with their uniform- service dress jacket was made of Australian wool and its loose fit gave the wearer more allowance for movement. The four large pockets were very useful. A unique feature designed for comfort was the pleated back, which provided a double thickness of cloth down the back that the pack rubbed against. Breeches were corduroy worn with wool wrap puttees. The famous khaki felt slouch hat or early service cap is probably the most distinctive part of the uniform. turned up on the left and featuring a plain khaki band, chinstrap and “rising sun” badge.

SOLDIER’S KIT

Australia's World War I soldiers went to war weighed down by almost 30 kilograms of clothes, weapons, tools and kit.

·      Breeches: made from khaki woollen cord fabric, with side pockets and button flies. Soldiers were issued with two pairs of breeches, plus a pair of dungarees. The breeches ended above the ankles and the gap was filled with puttees.

·      Braces: worn with breeches.

·      Puttees: The men wound these strips of woollen cloth, almost three metres long, upwards from the ankle to just below the knee. Soldiers disliked the puttees, probably with good reason: the tight binding restricted circulation and might even have contributed to the high incidence of trench foot. Mounted troops wore leather leggings.

·      Shirt: Soldiers were given two grey, collarless, flannel shirt, plus a military shirt.

·      Ankle boots: brown and lace-up.

·      Socks: Made from wool or cotton. Soldiers were issued with three pairs.

·      Greatcoat: the khaki woollen coat (which weighed about 3kg) often doubled as a soldier's bedding and was his chief protection against the cold and wet. The coat came into its own when snow hit the Western Front.

·      Jersey

·      Singlets: Soldiers were issued with 2 woollen singlets.

·      Cotton "drawers" (underpants): Soldiers were issued with two pairs.

·      Abdominal belts: a sort of cummerbund that was issued to keep soldiers warm and supposedly ward off disease.

·      Backpacks and webbing: The main backpack was a rectangular sack measuring about 15 inches x 13 inches, closed at the top by a folding cover secured by two straps. The webbing included a web belt, cartridge pouches, small haversack, bayonet frog, an entrenching tool holder (plus another holder for its handle), and a water-bottle holder.

·      Identity disc: Soldiers were initially issued with one medal "dog tag" on a cord, but later in the war they were given two tags, made of compressed fibre.

·      Soldiers were also issued with a "housewife" - a sewing kit containing such items as needles, thimble, thread, wool and button so they could carry out running repairs.

·      Also in their kit were a short-magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) rifle, a rifle sling, a bayonet and scabbard, and an "entrenching tool" (they were "diggers" after all). This came in two parts, with the helve (handle) separate from the spade part.

·      Soldiers were issued with eating equipment (knife, fork, spoon, an enamel mug, water bottle (with two-point capacity), and a mess tin with carrier.

·      They also had a clasp knife (with marlin spike, tin-opener and lanyard), razor, shaving kit, soap, comb, two towels, field dressing (carried in the tunic's inside pocket), and a hold-all, in which they could pack their private possessions.

·      No item was probably looked after more carefully than their service pay book: privates were paid five shillings a day.

VOYAGE OVERSEAS FROM SYDNEY TO ENGLAND

On the 22^nd January 1917 his unit caught the troop train from Brisbane to Sydney and on the 24^th January 1917, they embarked on the HMAT A33 Ayrshire. Alongside his comrades, Arthur marched aboard, his boots ringing on the gangway. As the ship’s lines were cast off and the quay began to slip away, the reality of war lay ahead, but for now, the sea breeze carried only the sound of voices and the excitement of men bound for adventure, duty, and the unknown.

The epic voyage across the ocean has been described as “the longest journey to war in the history of the world.” They thought it was the start of a new adventure- for many it was their first time so far away from home. However, after some time at sea the biggest problem turned out to be boredom. On the voyage, due to overcrowding, training was limited to mainly to lectures and a little physical training.

SLEEPING & LIVING ARRANGEMENTS

Recruits likely slept in a crowded troop deck below, where rows of hammocks or three-tier wooden bunks were crammed close together.

Air below decks could be stuffy, especially in warmer climates, and seasickness was common during the first few days.

DAILY ROUTINE

Reveille early each morning, followed by physical exercises on the open decks (weather permitting). There were parades and inspections—officers ensured uniforms, rifles, and kit were clean and in order. Training was a little problematic—drill without much space, rifle maintenance, lectures on military discipline, signalling, and trench warfare theory. The ship’s decks were used for marching in tight circles or practising bayonet thrusts into stuffed sacks. Rifle shooting was impossible at sea, so soldiers learned to strip and clean their weapons until it was second nature.

MEALS

Three hearty meals a day were served; breakfast usually consisted of porridge, stew, and tea. Lunch included soup, meat, vegetables, and pudding. Meat, bread with jam and tea was served for dinner. The meals were served in shifts from the ship’s galley. Queues were long, and eating on a rolling ship meant many tried to eat quickly before nausea set in.

HEALTH & SANITATION

Shipboard hygiene was critical—every man was ordered to scrub his section daily to prevent disease. Saltwater baths were the norm, with freshwater rationed for drinking.

THE VOYAGE EXPERIENCE

Entertainment included church drill, concerts, singalongs, card games, and makeshift cricket matches on deck when the weather allowed. In an attempt to keep up morale, an area of the ship was roped off where regular boxing and wrestling tournaments were held. This became commonly known as the Stoush Stadium. No letters could be sent until they reached port, but men often wrote diaries or unsent letters to be posted later.

The troops engaged in lifebelt drill; a cookhouse on deck; soldiers on fatigues peeling potatoes 'spud bashing'; going to the dentist; barber, pay day; soldiers cleaning personal equipment; medical inspection

CROSSING THE EQUATOR CEREMONY

The crossing the Equator ceremony, ‘Neptune’s Journey,’ was played-out on each troopship.

SIGHTS AT SEA

On the way to Egypt, where the ship would refuel & take on supplies, the ship would pass through the Great Australian Bight, cross the Indian Ocean, and stop at Colombo (Ceylon now Sri Lanka) for coal and supplies.

SECURITY

By late 1914, German raiders were active, so lifeboat drills were frequent, and lookouts kept watch for suspicious ships. Troopships generally sailed in convoys or at least took zig-zag courses to make torpedo attacks harder. Ships often travelled under blackout conditions at night, with lookouts specifically watching for periscopes or torpedo wakes. The danger was greatest in the Western Approaches near Britain, where U-boats patrolled choke points like the English Channel and Irish Sea.

EGYPT

After several weeks at sea, the men finally saw the dusty shoreline of Port Said or Alexandria. They could only wonder at the sights and sounds they could see as they watched the ship being refuelled and goods taken on board

ENGLAND

About a fortnight later the men finally saw the green shoreline of England. The reality of leaving home truly sank in. The recruits would soon exchange the ship’s cramped decks for the training grounds of England, preparing for what lay ahead.

ENGLISH TRAINING CAMP

The ship arrived in England on the 13^th April 1917. When the recruits arrived in England, they boarded the troop train for Codford, one of the training camps on the Salisbury Plains. During an interim period, soldiers typically:

·      Recovered from the voyage: After long sea travel from Australia, troops needed time to rest and regain strength.

·      Underwent medical inspections: To check for illnesses, infections, or conditions like venereal disease that might delay their training.

·      Received equipment and uniforms: This included British-issued gear better suited to the Western Front.

·      Were assigned to training battalions: Administrative processing sorted soldiers into reinforcement drafts for specific front-line battalions.

·      Drilled lightly: They performed light drills, parades, and familiarisation routines while waiting for formal training slots to open.

When the recruits entered the camp, they joined one of the Australian training establishments on the Salisbury Plain in southern England. By this stage of the war, the Australian Imperial Force had developed a highly organised training system designed to ensure that every reinforcement arriving in France possessed the skills needed to survive on the Western Front.

The time they spent at the camp were among the most important of their military career. Rather than being sent directly to the front, they underwent intensive preparation under instructors who were often veterans recently returned from France. These men had firsthand knowledge of trench warfare and passed on lessons learned through hard experience.

Life in the camp followed a demanding routine. Reveille sounded early each morning, followed by physical training designed to build strength and endurance. After breakfast, the men spent long hours on the training grounds learning and practising the skills they would soon need in battle. Rifle shooting remained a fundamental part of instruction, and the men would have spent considerable time on the ranges improving his marksmanship and learning to care for his weapon under all conditions.

Much of the training focused on trench warfare. Practice trench systems had been constructed across Salisbury Plain, allowing recruits to experience conditions similar to those they would encounter in France. They learned how to move through communication trenches, occupy front-line positions, stand sentry duty and maintain defensive works. They practised digging trenches, constructing parapets and revetments, and laying barbed wire obstacles.

Bombing instruction was another important part of the syllabus. Recruits learned how to throw and handle grenades safely, a skill that had become essential on the Western Front. They were also taught how to react during enemy bombardments, how to seek cover and how to move forward under artillery fire.

Field exercises frequently involved entire companies and battalions. During these manoeuvres, the recruits practised attacks on mock enemy positions, advancing behind simulated artillery barrages and coordinating movements with neighbouring units. Such exercises often lasted for many hours and could continue regardless of rain, cold or mud. The instructors were determined that recruits experience something of the hardships they would face in France.

Route marches formed a regular feature of camp life. Carrying rifles, ammunition, packs and equipment, the men marched many miles across the rolling countryside of Salisbury Plain. These marches built stamina and accustomed soldiers to carrying heavy loads over long distances. By the end of his training, the men would have been capable of marching for hours while carrying the equipment required in active service.

Beyond the formal training, the also gave the recruits the opportunity to form friendships with fellow Australians who shared anticipation and uncertainty about their future. In the evenings, men wrote letters home, attended educational lectures or spent what little leisure time was available discussing rumours from the front and wondering what lay ahead.

DISCIPLINED 9^TH JUNE 1917

Arthur west AWL from 8.00am 9^th June 1917 to 8.11pm on 11^th June 1917. He was awarded 2 day’s FP No2.

FIELD PUNISHMENT NO 2

In Field punishment no.2, the soldier could be kept in irons to prevent his escape, however was not allowed to be tied to a fixed object, carried out in the units if the punishment was sentenced to less than 14 days. They had to undergo hard labour, made to march in full order with packs and rifles twice daily, usually morning and afternoon. The soldier’s rifle equipment was inspected and if not satisfactory would be further punished.  Soldiers under field punishment no.2 were not allowed to smoke or drink any rum; pay was also lost during this time. If the prisoner messed up, they were sent straight to the bottom of the leave roster and also did at least an hour pack drill every day. The prisoners were only allowed blankets and to sleep on the floor and were under guarded supervision in a room from between the hours of 6pm and 6am. 

APPOINTED ACTING LANCE CORPORAL JUNE 1917

Despite his earlier disciplinary charge, Arthur's abilities and experience had clearly been recognised while serving with the 12th Training Battalion at Codford. On 27 June 1917 he was promoted to Acting Lance Corporal, a temporary appointment awarded to soldiers who had demonstrated leadership, reliability and a sound knowledge of military training. The promotion reflected the confidence his superior officers had in his ability to supervise and instruct the steady stream of Australian reinforcements arriving from home. As an Acting Lance Corporal, Arthur would have been responsible for drilling recruits, teaching musketry, bayonet fighting, trench routine and fieldcraft, while ensuring discipline was maintained and the men were prepared for the harsh realities awaiting them on the Western Front. He would also have been expected to lead by example, taking responsibility for the welfare and progress of the soldiers under his charge. Although the appointment was temporary and depended upon the needs of the Army, it was a significant acknowledgement of Arthur's experience and leadership, earned through months of active service in France. His promotion demonstrated that he had gained the respect of his officers and was considered well qualified to help shape the next generation of Australian soldiers before they crossed the Channel to join their battalions in the field.

READY FOR ACTIVE DUTY

After many months of continuous preparation in England, the men were judged ready for active service. The recruits had been transformed from a newly arrived reinforcement into a fully trained infantryman, accustomed to discipline, hardship, and the mechanics of modern war. When the battalion finally crossed to France, it did so as a cohesive and well-drilled unit, prepared—so far as training could allow—for the brutal realities of the Western Front.

Following his appointment as Acting Lance Corporal in June 1917, Arthur remained at Codford Camp, where he began taking on the responsibilities expected of a junior non-commissioned officer. His promotion recognised his leadership qualities and he was entrusted with supervising other soldiers, maintaining discipline and assisting with their training while awaiting service in France.

ATTENDED NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS’ SCHOOL JULY 1917

On 30 July 1917 Arthur was selected to attend the Non-Commissioned Officers' School at Jellalabad Barracks, Codford. Attendance at this school was an indication that his commanding officers considered him capable of greater responsibility. The course provided instruction in military drill, discipline, leadership, map reading, field tactics, trench routine, musketry and the administration expected of non-commissioned officers. He also learned how to instruct recruits and lead men under operational conditions. Successful completion of the course prepared promising soldiers for the increasing demands that awaited them on the Western Front.

After completing the course, Arthur remained at Codford for the rest of 1917. Although his service record contains no entries during this period, life was far from idle. He continued serving as an Acting Lance Corporal, supervising training parades, route marches, musketry practice, bayonet fighting, field exercises and the daily routine of camp life. He was responsible for ensuring the men under his charge were disciplined, properly equipped and physically prepared to reinforce the Australian battalions fighting in France. Every day brought the possibility that orders would arrive for his draft to proceed overseas.

HOSPITALISED JANUARY 1918

The English winter of 1917–1918 was cold and damp, and illnesses were common in the crowded training camps. On 18 January 1918 Arthur was admitted to the Group Hospital at Codford. Unfortunately, his records do not state the nature of his illness, suggesting it was probably a minor complaint from which he recovered quickly. While he was a patient, he temporarily reverted to the rank of Private. This was not a punishment or a demotion, but simply an administrative requirement because an acting non-commissioned officer could not hold an acting appointment while absent from duty in hospital.

Only three days later, on 21 January 1918, Arthur was discharged from hospital and immediately reappointed Acting Lance Corporal. The restoration of his rank on the very day he returned to duty demonstrates that his commanding officers retained complete confidence in his leadership and abilities. His brief stay in hospital had merely interrupted his service, and he resumed his duties exactly as before while continuing to prepare himself and his men for their eventual deployment to the battlefields of France.

ENGLAND TO FRANCE FEBRUARY 1918

After completing their training in England, the recruits marched to Southampton embarkation port on the 18^th February 1918, where thousands of Australian reinforcements waited to cross the English Channel. Before departure, every man underwent a final medical inspection, was issued with ammunition, rations and any remaining equipment, and received instructions on what to do if the transport came under enemy attack.

The crossing to France was usually made in the early hours of darkness aboard a crowded troopship or cross-Channel steamer. Although the journey was relatively short, it was considered dangerous, as German submarines and mines posed a constant threat. Every soldier wore a lifebelt throughout the voyage, and troops remained alert in case they had to abandon ship. Fortunately, most crossings were completed safely, escorted by Royal Navy vessels.

On arrival at Le Havre, one of the Channel ports, the men would have stepped onto French soil for the first time. Rather than proceeding directly to the front, they were sent to the Australian Base Depot, where reinforcements were organised, equipped and held until required by their units. Here the men exchanged some of their British-issued equipment for stores more suited to service on the Western Front, completed further medical inspections and undertook additional training designed to familiarise reinforcements with the latest trench warfare tactics.

From the Base Depot, the recruits would have travelled by troop train through the French countryside towards the rear areas behind the front line. The trains were often slow, crowded and uncomfortable, but they provided many soldiers with their first glimpse of war-torn France. Villages showed signs of shell damage, roads were busy with military traffic, and columns of troops, horses and artillery moved constantly towards the front.

Before joining their battalion, the recruits would have spent several days at the Australian Reinforcement Camp, where experienced officers and non-commissioned officers instructed newly arrived soldiers in current battlefield conditions. They practised trench routines, the use of gas masks, grenade throwing, wiring, patrolling and the latest infantry tactics. The distant rumble of artillery could often be heard, reminding every reinforcement that the front line was now only a short distance away.

Finally, they were marched forward to their battalion, usually under the cover of darkness. Meeting men who had already endured months or even years of fighting, they quickly learned that his training had prepared them for the realities of the Western Front. The smell of mud, cordite and damp sandbags, the constant thunder of artillery and the ever-present danger from enemy shellfire and snipers marked the beginning of their active service in France.

TAKEN ON STRENGTH

Arthur was taken on strength with the 49^th Battalion on 2rd March 1918. This means the soldier was officially assigned to and accounted for in a specific military unit's nominal roll. It meant they were integrated into the unit for daily operations, including food, discipline, equipment, and frontline duties. He joined the battalion at a difficult time in the war. The German Army was preparing to launch its massive Spring Offensive, an all-out attempt to defeat the Allies before large numbers of American troops could arrive. The Australian divisions were constantly moving between sectors, strengthening defences, improving trenches and preparing for the expected assault. Arthur's first weeks with the battalion were spent becoming familiar with the front line, carrying out patrols, repairing trenches damaged by shellfire, laying barbed wire, strengthening strongpoints and enduring the daily routine of artillery bombardments, sniping and gas alerts. Like every new reinforcement, he also had to gain the confidence of the experienced men who had already survived years of fighting.

When the German Spring Offensive opened on 21 March 1918, the Allied front was thrown into crisis. The 49th Battalion was hurried into the fighting around the Somme, taking part in the desperate defensive operations that checked the German advance towards Amiens. Throughout March and April, the battalion occupied front-line trenches, launched counter-attacks, defended villages and fought almost continuously under heavy shellfire. The Australians played a major part in halting the German offensive, although casualties were severe and exhaustion was widespread.

SPRING OFFENSIVE SOMME VALLEY 1918

Following the collapse of Tsarist Russia in late 1917, the Germans were able to transfer large amounts of equipment and manpower from the Eastern Front to the Western Front and subsequently launched their Spring Offensive in March. Falling on the southern flanks of the sector held by the British Third and Fifth Armies, the offensive initially succeeded in driving the Allies back and in late March, as the Germans closed in on the vital railhead around Amiens, the five Australian divisions, which had been grouped together as part of the Australian Corps, were transferred to the Somme to help blunt the attack.

WOUNDED IN ACTION APRIL 1918 MEDICAL CHAIN

On 25 April 1918, while the battalion was engaged in these operations, Arthur suffered a gunshot wound that lacerated his left knee and thigh. He was evacuated to the 25th Field Ambulance, the first substantial medical unit behind the front line. There his wounds would have been examined, cleaned thoroughly to remove dirt and fragments of clothing, and treated with antiseptics to reduce the ever-present risk of infection. Bleeding would have been controlled, damaged tissue dressed and the leg immobilised with bandages or a splint to prevent further injury. He would also have received pain relief, anti-tetanus treatment where available and been prepared for evacuation further down the casualty chain.

The following day, 26 April, Arthur was admitted to a Lines of Communication Hospital at Rouen. These large hospitals were well equipped and staffed by surgeons, nurses and specialists. Here his wounds would have been examined more thoroughly, dressings changed regularly and, if necessary, surgery performed to remove damaged tissue or any remaining foreign material. His recovery was monitored carefully to ensure that infection did not develop and that movement of his injured leg gradually returned.

EVACUATED TO ENGLAND

By 28 April it was clear that Arthur's wounds required a longer period of recovery than could be provided in France, so he was invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St Andrew. During the voyage he would have remained under the care of medical staff while receiving regular dressings, medication and nourishment as the ship crossed the Channel carrying wounded soldiers away from the battlefields.

The next day Arthur was admitted to Reading War Hospital. This was one of Britain's major military hospitals, where he continued his recovery. Doctors and nurses concentrated not only on healing his wounds but also on restoring strength and movement to his injured leg. As the wounds closed, treatment increasingly focused on physiotherapy, gentle exercises and supervised walking so that he could eventually return to military duty if considered fit.

On 27 May 1918 Arthur was transferred to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford. Auxiliary hospitals cared for soldiers who no longer required intensive medical treatment but still needed convalescence before returning to duty. Here he would have continued physiotherapy, participated in light exercise, enjoyed better nutrition and gradually regained his fitness under medical supervision.

CONVALESCENCE MAY 1918

Having recovered sufficiently, Arthur was transferred on 31 May to No. 3 Convalescent Depot at Hurdcott on Salisbury Plain. The purpose of the depot was to bridge the gap between hospital and active service. Soldiers undertook graded physical training, route marches, drill and medical inspections designed to rebuild their endurance. Staff carefully assessed whether each man was ready for more demanding military duties.

By 6 July 1918 Arthur had progressed to No. 1 Convalescent Depot at Sutton Veny. This represented the final stage of rehabilitation before returning to full military employment. Training became more strenuous, with longer marches, field exercises, musketry refresher courses and physical conditioning. Medical officers continued to monitor his injured leg to ensure it was capable of withstanding the rigours of active service. Although he regained sufficient fitness for military duties, he was retained in England rather than being returned immediately to France, reflecting the Army's need for experienced non-commissioned officers to train and supervise the constant stream of reinforcements.

PERMANENT CADRE OCTOBER 1918

On 29 October 1918 Arthur was taken on strength of the Permanent Cadre at No. 1 Convalescent Depot, Tidworth, to complete the establishment of the unit. Permanent Cadres were made up of experienced soldiers who remained behind to maintain the depot's organisation and training programme. Arthur's duties would have included supervising recruits and convalescents, conducting drill, maintaining discipline, assisting with administration and helping prepare recovered soldiers for their return to active units overseas. By this stage of the war, experienced leaders were in high demand within the training system as thousands of soldiers passed through the depots.

PROMOTION TO CORPORAL

On the same day Arthur was promoted to Corporal. This promotion was almost certainly recognition of the leadership ability he had demonstrated since attending the NCO School at Codford, together with the experience he had gained both in France and during his recovery. His earlier acting rank had already shown that his officers trusted his judgement, and his permanent promotion reflected their confidence that he possessed the maturity, discipline and instructional skills needed to lead soldiers and maintain the efficient running of the depot.

WAR ENDED 11 NOVEMBER 1918

Only two weeks later, on 11 November 1918, the Armistice brought the fighting to an end, but experienced non-commissioned officers like Arthur remained essential in training, administration and the orderly demobilisation of the Australian Imperial Force.

Arthur remained with the Permanent Cadre at No. 1 Convalescent Depot, Tidworth. Thousands of soldiers were still recovering from wounds or illness, awaiting transport home or completing their military obligations. Arthur's experience as a non-commissioned officer made him valuable in maintaining discipline and ensuring the smooth operation of the depot during this transition from war to peace.

For the next eight months Arthur's duties would have centred on training and administration rather than combat. He supervised men undergoing rehabilitation, conducted drill and physical training, inspected accommodation and equipment, maintained discipline and assisted with the considerable paperwork associated with the movement and discharge of Australian soldiers. The Permanent Cadre also helped organise educational classes, recreational activities and vocational training introduced to prepare soldiers for civilian life. It was an important role requiring patience and leadership as many men were anxious to return home after years of war.

APPOINTED ER CORPORAL JULY 1919

On 1 July 1919 Arthur was promoted to Temporary Corporal and then appointed Extra Regimental Corporal (ER Corporal) with No. 2 Group. An Extra Regimental appointment meant he was no longer attached to an infantry battalion but was employed in a headquarters or administrative establishment. No. 2 Group was one of the organisations responsible for administering Australian troops in England during demobilisation. As an ER Corporal, Arthur's duties would have included supervising working parties, maintaining discipline, assisting with records, escorting soldiers between camps and ensuring the orderly processing of men awaiting discharge or repatriation. His promotion reflected the Army's confidence in his leadership and reliability during this complex period.

TRANSFERRED TO AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE HQ LONDON SEPTEMBER 1919

On 3 September 1919 Arthur was transferred to Australian Imperial Force Headquarters in London. Rather than preparing soldiers for battle, AIF Headquarters managed the final administration of Australia's wartime army. Arthur may have assisted with personnel records, movement orders, accommodation, escorts or the many administrative tasks required as thousands of Australian soldiers completed their service.

PERMANENT CADRE SEPTEMBER 1919

Three days later, on 6 September, he was detached from the Permanent Cadre at Ludgershall. This indicates that his responsibilities had shifted entirely from the training establishment to AIF Headquarters in London, where experienced non-commissioned officers were needed to support the winding down of Australia's military organisation in Britain.

DISCHAGED MEDICALLY UNFIT OCTOBER 1919

By October 1919 the Australian Imperial Force was rapidly shrinking as soldiers returned home or accepted discharge in Britain. Arthur was found to be medically unfit for further military service and, on 18 October 1919, was medically discharged in London. His Statement of Service recorded two years and 324 days of military service, of which two years and 268 days had been spent overseas. His career had taken him from the training camps of England to the battlefields of France, where he was wounded during the desperate fighting of the German Spring Offensive, before returning to England to complete the war as an experienced non-commissioned officer helping train, supervise and administer Australia's soldiers during the long process of demobilisation.

IMMIGRATION TO USA

Unlike many of his comrades, Arthur did not immediately return to Australia. Choosing to remain in England after his discharge, he eventually made a new life for himself by emigrating to the United States. There he built a future far removed from the battlefields of France, living for many decades before his death in 1982. His journey from an Australian volunteer to a wounded veteran and finally an immigrant in America reflected the unexpected paths that the First World War created for so many of those who served.

FOR HIS SERVICE

For his service Arthur was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal and his name is recorded on the Tyalgum Great Wall of Honour

AFTER THE WAR

Arthur married Elsie Luema Boyle, an English woman, date unknown and they both immigrated to America, date unknown

DEATH AND BURIAL

Arthur died on the 24 Oct 1982 (aged 86) in China Township, St. Clair County, Michigan, USA and is buried in Hillside Cemetery

Saint Clair, St. Clair County, Michigan, USA

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