S13009
TODD, Arthur Hamilton
| Service Number: | 769 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 9th Light Horse Regiment |
| Born: | Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia, 1891 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Blacksmith,labourer |
| Died: | Accident (trauma), Streaky Bay, South Australia, 27 March 1940 |
| Cemetery: |
Streaky Bay Cemetery, S.A. |
| Memorials: | Streaky Bay War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 8 Feb 1915: | Involvement Private, 769, 9th Light Horse Regiment, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '2' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Pera embarkation_ship_number: A4 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Feb 1915: | Embarked Private, 769, 9th Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Pera, Melbourne | |
| 5 Aug 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, ANZAC / Gallipoli | |
| 5 Aug 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, The August Offensive - Lone Pine, Suvla Bay, Sari Bair, The Nek and Hill 60 - Gallipoli | |
| 27 Aug 1915: | Wounded AIF WW1, WIA during the Battle of Hill 60, Gallipoli | |
| 1 Feb 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal | |
| 11 Nov 1918: | Involvement Corporal, 769 | |
| 29 Dec 1918: | Honoured Distinguished Conduct Medal, Awarded for "conspicuous gallantry and dash on 22 September, 1918, near Jelbon, whilst in charge of the right flank patrol to a squadron. He located a party of the enemy, about thirty strong, in position behind a cactus hedge. He skilfully manoeuvred on to their flank, and with four men rushed the position. The enemy, consisting of four officers and thirty one other ranks, were captured." Recommended : 29 December 1918 Commonwealth of Australia Gazette : 20 May 1920 on page 755 at position 2 London Gazette : 25 February 1920 on page 2303 at position 3 | |
| 14 Jul 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1 |
Australian Light Horseman
Arthur Hamilton Todd, DCM
Born in Broken Hill NSW (though also mentioned as being born in Port Piri SA) in 1890 he enlisted in the AIF in Oaklands SA on 27 Oct 1914
He was allocated as Trooper in the 9th Light Horse, 3rd Reinforcement
He embarked for the Middle East on 8 Feb 1915 arriving in Egypt in Mar where he was posted to HQ Squadron
The Regiment sailed for Gallipoli on 16 May & Arthur followed later arriving at Anzac Cove on 5 Aug joining them on Walker's Ridge where they were positioned in Reserve for the 8th & 10th LH Regiment's charge at The Nek
Having not suffered as the 8th & 10th had, the 9th took part in the Battle of Hill 60 on 27 Aug where Arthur was WIA suffering a GSW to his arm
He was evacuated to Mudros then Egypt & re-joined the Regiment at Anzac on 12 Nov
They were left the peninsular in Dec as part of the Allied Evacuation & returned to Egypt
During the rest & reorganisation period in early 1916 he was allocated to A Squadron, D Troop the appointed L/CPL in Feb & T/CPL in Apr
He went on serving with the Regiment throughout the Sinai & Palestine Campaign where he distinguished himself in Sep 1918 near Jelhon which saw him awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal; the recommendation reading – "For conspicuous gallantry and dash on the 22nd September, 1918 near Jelbon, whilst in charge of the right flank patrol to a squadron. He located a party of the enemy, about thirty strong, in position behind a cactus hedge. He skilfully manoeuvred on to their flank and with four men rushed the position. The enemy, consisting of four officers and thirty one other ranks, were captured"
Following the wars end he returned to Australia in Jan 1919 taking his discharge in Jul
Post-war Arthur married Agnes Minnie Smith in Streaky Bay on 28 Aug 1920 & was employed by the Municipal Tramways Trust until 1928 when he returned to the coast & took up sheep farming four miles from Streaky Bay
It was here on 27 Mar 1940 that Arthur passed away after he fell on a stick which he was using to guide sheep; this caused internal injury & proved fatal
He was very highly esteemed & his tragic death cast a gloom over the town & district
He was remembered as a past master of the Masonic craft & a keen member of the RSL who was actively associated with Flinders Rifle Club & a supporter of all sport
Submitted 24 July 2024 by James Coleman
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