SPENCE, Arthur Rennie
| Service Number: | 382 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 22 January 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 44th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Fremantle, Western Australia, 7 September 1890 |
| Home Town: | Fremantle, Fremantle, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Carpenter |
| Died: | Hilton Park, Western Australia, Australia, 18 January 1954, aged 63 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Privately Cremated Ashes Scattered |
| Memorials: | Fremantle Scots Church Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 22 Jan 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 382, 44th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Jun 1916: | Involvement Private, 382, 44th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Suevic embarkation_ship_number: A29 public_note: '' | |
| 6 Jun 1916: | Embarked Private, 382, 44th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Suevic, Fremantle | |
| 28 Jan 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 382, 44th Infantry Battalion, Severe Gunshot wound to shoulder. Admitted to the Royal Victorian Netley Hospital on 4.2.17 | |
| 14 May 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 70th Infantry Battalion | |
| 16 Sep 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 70th Infantry Battalion | |
| 20 Sep 1917: | Transferred AIF WW1, Corporal, 44th Infantry Battalion, At Rouelles | |
| 25 Aug 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Corporal, 382, Returned to Australia on 1.6.1919 per Somali |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Helen Harmer
Arthur Rennie Spence was born in Fremantle on the 7.9.1890. Arthur had previously served with the Cadets and been an apprenticed wicker worker for 4½ years when he enlisted at Perth on the 22.1.16, aged 25 years. He stated he was a carpenter and Presbyterian. Allocated the rank of Private and Service Number 382, he was appointed to the 44th Infantry Battalion. Next of kin was his wife, Rachel May Spence née Rawlinson. Arthur is described as being 5’11” tall with a fresh complexion, blue eyes, brown hair and false teeth.
He embarked on the 6.6.16 from Fremantle on HMAT Suevic A29. On the 28.1.17 he was wounded in action and admitted to the Royal Victorian Netley Hospital on the 4.2.17 with a severe gunshot wound to his shoulder. On the 23.3.17 he was transferred from the 44th Battalion to the 70th. Arthur was appointed Lance Corporal on the 14.5.17 and on the 16.9.17 promoted to Corporal. He was transferred back to the 44th Battalion at Rouelles on the 19.9.17. He was sent to hospital sick on the 8.7.18. He returned to Australia on the 1.6.19 per Somali and was discharged on the 25.8.19. Arthur died on the 18.1.1954 at Hilton Park, aged 63. He was cremated at Karrakatta and his ashes were scattered.
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