Arthur William Crook

Arthur William Crook

Personal Information
Date of Birth	25 May 1890
Place of Birth	Biggleswade, Bedforshire, England
Age at Enlistment	49 years, 5 months
Description	5'6½" (1.69m) tall ; 142lbs 64.41 kg ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; grey hair
Occupation	Bread carter
Religion	Church of England
Address	Armadale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Wife , Mrs Jean Rita Crook
Military Information
Reg Number	249803 & W243083
Date of Enlistment	10 Oct 1939
Rank	Staff Sergeant
Unit/Formation	5th Australian Garrison Battalion
Post War Details
Fate	Remained in Australia
Medals	British War Medal Victory Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

Pre War

Arthur had enlisted in the AIF at Sydney on 30 Oct 1916 and he served with the Engineer's 10th Field Company. At enlistment he gave his occupation as plumber. Arthur served overseas, departing Sydney on 10 Feb 1917, and he entered France on 15 Mar 1918. Arthur was wounded in action on 18 Jul 1918 and later was hospitalised with a rectal abscess that caused him to be sent back to England. On 3 Mar 1919 he was detached to the Aust Army Ordnance Corps. He arrived back in Sydney Australia aboard the SS Friedrichsruh on 12 Mar 1920, and was discharged in late 1920.

Arthur married Rita Jean Cosh during 1930 in Perth, but on 18 Aug 1943 he changed his NOK to his sister Mrs Adeline Higgins.

War Service

Arthur enlisted in the 10th Light Horse Regiment on 29 Sep 1937, giving his birth date as 25 May 1898. He was posed to the HQ Squadron, but was discharged on 27 Mar 1938.

On 23 Oct 1939 Arthur enlisted in the CMF and was posted to the 10th Australian Garrison Battalion. From 2 Dec 1939 Arthur was employed as a Clerk Trade Group III and at Swanbourne on 6 May 1940 he was appointed Lance Corporal. On 1 Jul 1940 he was promoted to Acting Staff Sergeant with the duties of the CQMS. From 12 - 20 Aug 1940 he was treated by the Hostel Hospital on Rottnest Island, and was promoted Staff Sergeant while in hospital. Arthur was granted leave from 24 Dec 1940 until 17 Jan 1941 and after he returned from leave he was transferred to the 5th Australian Garrison Battalion with effect 28 Jan 1941.

During August 1941 he undertook the role of instructor on a training course involving 'Q' personnel, but in September he was again needing medical assistance. Evacuated to the 110th Australian base Hospital on 15 Sep 1941, he was released the following day. Soon after he enjoyed some leave, from 4 - 25 Oct 1941 and again from 19-21 Dec 1941. On 22 May 1944 Arthur was admitted to the 39th Australian Camp Hospital on Rottnest, and they evacuated him to the mainland with a tumor to right testis where he was admitted to the 110th Australian Base Hospital on 26 May 1944. He remained in their care until 6 Jul 1944 when he was sent to a convalescent home until 7 Jul 1944 when he was released to the General Duties Depot who held him until he returned to the 10th Australian Garrison Battalion on 3 Nov 1944. On 18 Dec 1944 he was returned to the General Duties Depot for reassignment, but it was decided to discharge him on account of his age and his health (then graded 'B2'). Arthur was discharged on 17 Feb 1945.