Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Arthur was born at Clifton, Queensland on the 13th September 1918 to Evelyn Constance and Norman Vivian Slaughter. The family owned a farm, named ‘Summerlands’ at Harrisville which frequently hosted parties and other celebrations. Local events were also held in the town, involving most local families and included Fancy Dress competitions for the children, often followed by Dancing for the adults. These occasions were used to raise funds for various local causes, including for the Wynnum West Church of England. Norman was called upon to adjudicate the costumes for which prizes were awarded. As a nine-year-old Arthur won the Under Ten category dressed as Dick Whittington and his cat, while sister Esme was awarded best dressed girl as Bo Peep. Brother Rob dressed as Pierrott.
The children attended the local Harrisville State School where Arthur left during ’32 as a 13-year-old, before completing his Scholarship Exams. His early departure was a result of his father having a farm accident. Norman had been riding his horse when it slipped, falling heavily on him and fracturing his lower right leg. While he was recovering in the Ipswitch hospital, Arthur took over many of the farm duties. Unknowingly, this later affected Arthur’s progress as a pilot as he consequently did not have either the depth of mathematical or science knowledge and skills necessary to progress in Initial Training School.
Arthur worked for seven years on the family farm, competently undertaking repairs on engines, trucks and tractors, which he hoped would later also assist him in his desire to become a pilot.
As did most country youngsters, Arthur played several local sports including A grade tennis and cricket and B grade Union football. It was also a very social time with Arthur and his siblings joining other young adults with evenings including playing Monopoly at different home venues. Arthur was also a confident speaker, being chosen to propose a formal toast at friends’ ‘coming of age’. However, war soon intervened and aged 21, Arthur enlisted on the 15th January 1940 as 6943 a brash, popular and confident young man. A large gathering of local Harrisville well-wishers gathered at the local School of Arts to farewell their young enlistees. The Hall was patriotically decorated with Union Jacks plus plants and flowers in green and gold. The mayor, Shire Council, Red Cross, Comfort Funds and Women’s Emergency Legion were all represented. Speeches were given praising the young men for their decisions to leave home and fight. Several of the young men, including Arthur, had attended the district school, making the farewell even more important. Soon after, Arthur left for Richmond, to train for engineering in the Air Force.
His brother, Robert, a station hand, enlisted in June ’42 aged 21 as QX32824 with the 2/7th Battalion in New Guinea.
Stationed at Archerfield, 22-year-old Arthur was fortunate to escape with abrasions to his hand and hip when he and his motorcycle pillion passenger collided with a car at Coolangatta in January ’42. His passenger suffered lacerations to her forehead, elbow and knee as well as general abrasions. Later that year, Arthur had ‘unofficial leave’ which proved a costly exercise when he was punished with 9 days detention. Overall, Arthur’s energy and resourcefulness was praised during his service.
While serving, Arthur contracted malaria and spent time in the Adelaide hospital where he was cared for a young nurse from Peterborough, Eva Cummings. As was usual during the war, young men gave their photos to those back home and many of the recipients then wrote to the soldiers or servicemen. Eva kept the photo, along with many others, including Peterborough enlistee, Bryan Holmes who served with the 2/48th Battalion. (On Bryan’s eventual discharge the two became engaged and married.)
Flight Sergeant Arthur was discharged on the 6th June ’46, having served in Darwin and New Guinea. He and Thelma Heath of Mysterton Estate at Townsville announced their engagement in June ’51. They married the following month in the Townsville St James Cathedral. Arthur worked as the North Queensland Sales Manager for the Ford Company before then becoming a car laundry proprietor. He was unfortunate to have been involved in a car accident and a subsequent Court case to determine the cause of the accident. Arthur soon after became manager of the Townsville Motor Body Works.
Aged 67, Arthur died on the 10th September 1986, just 3 days prior to his birthday. He was buried in the Caboolture Cemetery Queensland in a Columbarium and is also remembered in the Queensland Garden of Remembrance, Wall 48 Row J. His brother Robert, similarly is also remembered in the Garden of Remembrance.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes, SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.