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Arthur Ernest Farrell - Information

Born in Wilton in 1893 to John Joseph and Mary Farrell, Arthur grew up in the area. The Farrells then relocated to Wollaghar near Richmond Rivers. Wanting to don a uniform Arthur signed up on the 10th of June 1915 in Brisbane. He was shortly joined by his younger brother, William, in July. They were both assigned to the 9th Battalion as Privates, and departed Sydney onboard the HMAT Ayrshire on the 1st of September 1915.

Landing in Egypt, Arthur and William met the 9th Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir in mid January 1916. The following month, they were transferred to the 49th Battalion, and then to the Army Service Corps, assigned to the 4th Field Bakery. In June, their unit was deployed to France. By the end of the year, an extremely bitter winter was thrust upon the men along the front. As a result, Arthur and Ernest reported to the 1st Australian General Hospital in November with influenza. They were evacuated to England to recuperate. Arthur returned to his unit in France in February 1917. He was appointed Temporary Corporal on the 10th of October 1918. After the war ended, Arthur married Olive Ellen Vear of Easton. They tied the knot on the 27th of November 1918 at the Parish Church in Easton. He returned to France to serve soldiers remaining on the front. He returned to England in February 1919. On the 23rd of July, he commenced his journey home with his new wife and child.