Arthur John Verrall
From Our Contribution
 Arthur with wife Edith and son 1916 Courtesy Arthur Smith | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | c1882 |
| Place of Birth | Earlswood, Redhill, Surrey, England |
| Death | 28 Sep 1917 |
| Place of Death | Poperinge, Belgium |
| Age at Enlistment | 33 years, 6 months |
| Description |
5'8½" (1.74m) tall ; 141lbs 63.956 kg ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; brown hair ; Tattoo on left forearm |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Austin avenue, Maddington, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Edith Harriett Verall |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 5668 |
| Date of Enlistment | 4 Apr 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 28th Battalion, 15th Reinforcement |
| Date of Embarkation | 22 Sep 1916 ‒ 21 Nov 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A52 Surada Fremantle to Plymouth |
| Fate | KIA 28 Sep 1917 |
| Monument |
Gosnells War Memorial Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll Australian War Memorial |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Contents
Pre War
Prior to his emigration to Australia, Arthur had served with the Royal Marines Light Infantry.
War Service
Entered Blackboy Hill camp on 4 Apr 1916, and after the best part of a month's training, on 1 May 1916 he was allocated to the 15th reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion, travelling with them to England aboard the HMAT A52 Surada, disembarking in Plymouth on 21 Nov 1916.
Arthur's stay with the 7th Training Battalion in England was very brief as he proceeded overseas to France from Folkestone aboard HMT Princesse Clementine on 21 Dec 1916. Arriving in Étaples the next day, he was held by the 2nd Divisional Base Depot for some specialised trench training, and before he could join the battalion, he was sent to isolation camp from 6 - 25 Jan 1917. The nature of his illness was not recorded.
On 4 Feb 1917 he proceeded to join the 28th Battalion and they took him on strength on 5 Feb 1917. At the time they were in the front lines near Fricourt.
On 20/21 Sep 1917 the 28th Battalion was a part of the force that attacked German positions on Westhoek Ridge on 28 Sep 1917, in a battle known as Menin Road. The Australians suffered 5,013 casualties. The 28th Battalion was then withdrawn from the line and sent to Poperinge to rest. During the night of 28 Sep 1917 a hostile aircraft flew over their camp at a height of 90 metres and dropped 8 bombs, killing 4 men, and wounding another 13. Arthur was one of those killed.
Notes