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Frank McArthur (MM) - Information

Frank lived with his grandmother, Lucy Winifred Jesse McArthur, in Glenfield. Working as a drover, he decided to serve his country, joining the colours in Holsworthy on the 24th of August 1915, aged 24. He was shipped out on the HMAT Medic, which departed Sydney on the 30th of December 1915. He sailed as a Private with the 12th Reinforcements, 3rd Battalion.

Frank arrived in Egypt in early 1916. He met the 3rd Battalion when they returned from Gallipoli, joining them at Serapeum in mid March. A week and a half later, he was transferred to the 13th Battalion. On the 1st of June, the 13th began their journey to the Western Front. Shortly after they arrived, they were thrust into action during the Somme Campaign, hitting the Germans at Pozières. Afterwards they spent a most terrible winter on the Somme battlefield. In renewed attacks in February 1917, the 13th launched an assault in the snow at Guedecourt. In April, they harassed the newly developed Hindenburg Line, a heavily fortified German trench system. Running through thick barbed wire and enfilade fire, many Anzacs were easily picked off. Later in the year, they participated in the Third Battle of Ypres in Belgium at Menin Road, Polygon Wood and Passchendaele. During these operations, Frank proved to be a capable and brave soldier. For his efforts, he was awarded the Military Medal on the 13th of October 1917. Conditions in Belgium were horrendous. Heavy rainfall turned the battleground into a quagmire. This was compounded by another harsh winter, leaving the men exhausted. In the new year, many were granted leave to recuperate. Frank was no exception, enjoying some time off from the 19th of February until the 8th of March. When he returned, fierce fighting had erupted following the German Spring Offensive. The Germans gained much ground breaking through the lines, forcing the Allies to retreat. Desperately fighting to hold on, they managed to halt the advance and began to push them back, launching their own offensive. The Allies made significant gains with the Battle of Amiens on the 8th of August. After this, Frank was promoted Lance Corporal on the 19th of August and continued to etch closer and closer to the Germans. When the war ended, Frank was attending a Signal School, and was promoted Temporary Corporal. Promoted to Corporal on the 20th of January 1919, he was granted more leave, before sailing for Australia from England on the HMAT Commonwealth on the 13th of April.