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Arthur Francis Ferrif - Information

Arthur had settled in Ingleburn with his wife, Olive Amy Ferrif. Originally from Armidale where he was born, Arthur found work as a fettler. He then enlisted in the AIF at the Royal Showground Camp in Sydney on the 19th of June 1916, aged 28. He said his farewells to his loving Olive, and commenced his training at Dubbo Depot. He then trained in signalling at Kiama. He was subsequently designated to the 7th Reinforcements, 60th Battalion as a Private. He was sent overseas onboard the HMAT Afric, which departed Sydney on the 3rd of November 1916.

Arthur disembarked in Plymouth in early January 1917 and was marched into the 15th Training Depot in Hurdcott. He was taken to the Western Front in France in March, meeting the 60th Battalion in the frontline, fours days later. Sadly, the following month, he was wounded in action. On the 12th of May, he was caught in a shell explosion sending fragments into his left thigh. After initial treatment, he was invalided to England, to London War Hospital. It took some time for Arthur to recover from his painful wound. In January 1918, he was sent back to the trenches in France, reuniting with his unit. However, with such a terrible injury and the bitter winter weather, it caused him much pain. Thus, he reported sick in late February. The following month, he was evacuated to England with trench fever, admitted to Southwark Military Hospital in Dulwich. Arthur needed some rest. At the end of May, he was transported once again back to the theatre of war. However, he still had not fully recovered and reported sick on the 1st of June. In late September, he was transferred to the 59th Battalion, and then again to the 15th Light Trench Mortar Battery the following month. Arthur survived the war, and was sent back to Australia in July 1919. Reuniting with his wife, Olive, they looked forward to a life of peace, residing on Lionel St in Ingleburn.