Arthur Thomas Lester
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | c1879 |
| Place of Birth | Maddington, Western Australia |
| Death | 6 Sep 1957, aged 77 |
| Place of Death | Gosnells, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 36 years, 1 month |
| Description |
5'7½" (1.71m) tall ; 141lbs 63.956 kg ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; fair hair |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Austin avenue, Maddington, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Ethel Lester |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 6329 |
| Date of Enlistment | 3 Mar 1915 |
| Rank | Driver |
| Unit/Formation | Australian Army Service Corps - 16th Company |
| Date of Embarkation | 22 May 1915 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A19 Afric Melbourne to Egypt |
| Date of Return | 28 Feb 1919 ‒ 10 Apr 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A68 Anchises Devonport to Albany |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll |
| Medals |
1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Had 12 years prior experience with Artillery. Had married Ethel by 1912 - no record of marriage found. Ethel died 24 May 1948 aged 56 at Claremont.
Electoral Roll entries: 1910 - 1915 Maddington, market gardener (Ethel with him in 1912);
War Service
Entered Blackboy Hill camp on 3 mar 1915 and a fortnight later was allocated to the 16thh Company AASC as a Driver. Attended specialist training in Victoria before sailing for Egypt.
On 20 Mar 1916 he boards a ship in Alexandria harbour for Marseilles in France.
Granted leave in England from 26 Apr 1917 until he rejoined his unit on 10 May 1917. On 16 Aug 1917 he reverted to the rank of Private at his own request, and transferred to the Supply Section. While in Belgium in early 1918 he was again granted leave to the UK from 14 Feb 1918 until he rejoined his unit on 6 Mar 1918.
As one of the earlier enlistees, on 28 Dec 1918 he returned to the Base Depot for return to Australia, leaving France on 3 Jan 1919 for Hurdcott via Southampton.
Discharged by the 5th Military District on 10 Jun 1919.
Post War
Son Maurice Arthur born in 1922.
Electoral Roll entries: 1925 Albany road, Canningdale via Armadale, market gardener; 1931 - 1943 Station road, Gosnells, carrier; 1949 Albany road, Maddington; 1954 retired.
Notes