WALES, Arthur Alfred
| Service Number: | 157814 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 6 October 1944 |
| Last Rank: | Leading Aircraftman |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Richmond, Victoria, Australia, 15 October 1913 |
| Home Town: | Richmond (V), Yarra, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Motor mechanic |
| Died: | Injuries received when struck by a car. , Parkville, Victoria, Australia, 5 August 1977, aged 63 years |
| Cemetery: |
Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Melbourne Public unmarked grave. |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 6 Oct 1944: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, 157814 | |
|---|---|---|
| 13 May 1946: | Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, 157814 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Daniel Jones
Wales, Arthur Alfred. Late 157814 Leading Aircraftman, Royal Australian Air Force.
Arthur Alfred Wales was born on the 15 October 1913 in Richmond, Victoria. The eldest child of George Wales (1870-1954), a carpenter, and his second wife Florence Annie Watkins (1878-1963). Growing up in Richmond, Arthur would have a large family. His father George would have six children with his first wife Jane Ravie (1873-1907) and three with Florence. The children were: Annie (1893-1922), Leslie (1895-1916), Doris (1899-1899), Janet (1902-1928), Norman (1904-1963), Hilda (1907-1964), Arthur, Florence (1916-1974) and Agnes (1919-1996).
Not much is known about Arthur's early life, but in 1931, as a 17 year old, he appeared in the newspapers having been charged (along with his mates) for illegally using a car. In it, his occupation was given as a carpenter. Arthur then pops up again, this time in the 1936 electoral rolls for Richmond, this time as a motor mechanic.
On the 6 October 1944, Arthur would enlist in the Royal Australian Air Force. At the time he was 30 years old and gave his occupation as a manager of his own motor and general engineering business. Also noted on his enlistment form was that he could also play the banjo! Accepted for service, he would train in South Australia and New South Wales, before passing his studies and re-mustered to a fitter. He would then serve at 2 Personnel Depot at Bradfield Park in NSW before ending his war while stationed at the RAAF HQ at Laverton, Victoria. Leading Aircraftman Arthur Wales was discharged on the 13 May 1946.
Post war, Arthur would return to Richmond and his own business, working as a motor mechanic well into the 1970s. At 7:45pm on the 20 July 1977, Arthur was crossing the road at the corner of William and Dudley Streets in West Melbourne, when he was struck by a car. The police report of the incident and subsequent coroners inquest ruled it as an accident, as Arthur was wearing dark clothing, and had not looked properly before crossing. Rushed to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Arthur would sadly pass away from his injuries some time later on the 5 August 1977. He was 63 years old.
At the time of his death, Arthur was a pensioner living at Ozanam House, a men's shelter. With no family able to be located and no estate, Arthur Alfred Wells was buried in an unmarked public grave in Springvale Botanical Cemetery.
Lest we forget.
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