Arthur Leworthy Bettenay
From Our Contribution
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | Not known |
| Place of Birth | Mildura, Victoria |
| Death | 7 Dec 1978, aged 83 |
| Place of Death | Roleystone, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 26 Apr 1916 |
| Description | 5' 11" (1.8m) tall; weight 134 lbs (60.8 kg); Sallow complexion, grey eyes, dark brown hair |
| Occupation | orchardist |
| Religion | Congregational |
| Address | Karragullen, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father Mr Joseph Bettenay |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 2056 |
| Date of Enlistment | 26 Apr 1916 |
| Rank | Signaller |
| Unit/Formation | 44th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement |
| Date of Embarkation | 10 Oct 1916 - 2 Dec 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A23 Suffolk |
| Date of Return | 3 Mar 1919 - Jun 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A40 Ceramic |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 8 Jun 1917 at Ploegsteert, Belgium Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Kelmscott |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
1916 Electoral Roll lists Arthur as living at 'Irymple', Karragullen, Western Australia.
War Service
Originally designated a member of the 16th reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion, on 18 Jul 1916 he was transferred to the 3rd draft for the 44th Battalion.
Soon after arrival in England he was shipped on 20 Dec 1916 via HMT Princess Victoria from Folkstone to France.
He joined the 44th Battalion on 4 Feb 1917 when they were in the trenches in front of Armentiès. Arthur was with them for 4 months before being wounded as the 44th Battalion took part in stage 2 of the attack on German positions on Messines Ridge. Arthur received a minor shrapnel wound (bruising) to his right shoulder. After some initial treatment he was placed on HMHS St George for England where he was admitted to the Richmond Military Hospital.
Recovered from his wound, he returned to France via Folkstone on 15 Apr 1918, but 5 days later was admitted to hospital sick, before being invalided with Trench fever to the UK on 2 May 1918 aboard HMHS Carisbrook Castle. During his time in England he was also hospitalised in Sutton Veny Military Hospital with appendicitis
He was returned to Australia seven months later, and took his discharge at 5th Military District on 23 Apr 1919.
Mr. and Mrs. J. Bettenay, of Irymple. Karragullen, have received notice from the Base Records Office, Melbourne, that their eldest son, Signaller Arthur L. Bettenay, of the 44th Battalion, has been wounded.[1]
On the 441st Official Casualty List he was reported ILL.
Papers report that he appeared on returning List 'N' (aboard the S.S. Ceramic).[2]
Post War
Mr. A. Bettenay of Karragullen has taken delivery of a Model A Ford.[3]
1921 -1977 Electoral Roll entries show him as living at "Irymple" Karragullen, orchardist with wife Mable Ruth [nee Parker] who he had married in 1920. Children: Wilfred J b. 24 Dec 1920; Vernon A b. 29 Oct 1922; Roy A b. 26 May 1924; Edna M b. 3 Jan 1926; and Eric b. 1927.
In April 1937 Arthur was elected to the Armadale-Kelmscott Road Board for a 1 year term.
Shipping Lists show that on 13th Sep 1951 Arthur and Mable sailed on the P&O SS Strathmore from London to Fremantle, seemingly the return leg of a holiday to England.
References
- ↑ "WAR CASUALTIES.". The West Australian. XXXIII, (4,763). Western Australia. 9 July 1917. p. 6. Retrieved 18 May 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ↑ The Daily News 5th November 1918, page 1.
- ↑ "MOTORS & MOTORING". Sunday Times (Perth) (1641). Western Australia. 7 July 1929. p. 2 (Third Section). Retrieved 18 May 2017 – via National Library of Australia.