Arthur William Griffin
From Our Contribution
 King's Park Memorial walk, May drive | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | c1892 |
| Place of Birth | Malvern, Victoria |
| Death | 4 Oct 1917 |
| Place of Death | Broodseinde, Belgium |
| Age at Enlistment | 23 years, 1 month |
| Description |
5'5¾" (1.67m) tall ; 133lbs 60.328 kg ; dark complexion ; grey eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | Wicker worker |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Maddington, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Emily Florence Griffin |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 386A |
| Date of Enlistment | 18 Jan 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 44th Battalion, B Company, transferred to the 28th Battalion |
| Date of Embarkation | 6 Jun 1916 ‒ 21 Jul 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A29 Suevic |
| Fate | Killed in action 4 Oct 1917 Broodseinde |
| Monument |
none at present Menin Gate Memorial Australian War Memorial |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Contents
Pre War
The seventh of nine children to Daniel Fallon Griggin and Sarah Elizabeth Fulling, the family moved to Perth and were living in Maylands in 1910. At time of enlistment his parents were living in Maddington. Arthur married Emily Florence Machin in Subiaco in Jun 1916 before he sailed for France.
War Service
Arthur entered camp on 18 Jan 1916 and on 28 Jan 1916 was allocated to B Company of the 44th Battalion, then being raised in WA. After training with them he travelled to England aboard HMAT A29 Suevic and undertook further training with them on the Salisbury Plain.
On 14 Oct 1916 Arthur proceeded to France through Folkestone aboard HMT Victoria and on 30 Oct 1916 he was taken on strength by the 28th Battalion. On 11 Nov 1916 Arthur was seen by the 5th Field Ambulance and treated for rheumatism. He was then passed to the 36th Casualty Clearing Station on 18 Nov 1916 and assessed as suffering with exhaustion and sent on 21 Nov 1916 to the 2nd General Hospital. Released on 28 Nov 1916 to a Convalescent Depot, he didn't rejoin the 28th battalion until 27 Jan 1917.
He had one more stay in hospital with illness (Trench Fever), from 28 May to 2 Jul 1917, before being caught up in the battle that became known as Broodseinde on 4 Oct 1917. Initially reported as Wounded in action, this was amended to Wounded and Missing in action before finally a Court of Enquiry held at Marchienne au-Pous on 19 Mar 1919 when he was declared to have been Killed in Action on 4 Oct 1917. Red Cross File [1]
Notes
At time of enlistment his NOK was his father Mr Daniel Griffin of Maddington, WA.
Son Arthur Alfred Griffin was born in Subiaco in 1917, and died 23 Nov 1985 at Meltham. Emily died 21 Nov 1945 aged 52 in Subiaco. Following confirmation of Arthur's death, Emily received a pension of 40/- per fortnight (£2 or $4.00), and she received 20/- or £1 per fortnight for their son Arthur.
For further information on this soldier, or for more information about the history and heritage of the City of Gosnells, please contact the Heritage Coordinator on 9391 6011