WIFFEN, Arthur George
| Service Number: | 2228 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 8 January 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 14th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Neerim South, Victoria, Australia, 18 January 1891 |
| Home Town: | Portarlington, Greater Geelong, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Engine driver |
| Died: | 1959, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, Drysdale Methodist Church Honor Roll, Drysdale State School No 1645 Honor Roll, Portarlington St John's Church Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 8 Jan 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2228, 14th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 17 Jun 1915: | Involvement Private, 2228, 14th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Wandilla embarkation_ship_number: A62 public_note: '' | |
| 17 Jun 1915: | Embarked Private, 2228, 14th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Wandilla, Melbourne | |
| 8 Aug 1915: | Imprisoned The August Offensive - Lone Pine, Suvla Bay, Sari Bair, The Nek and Hill 60 - Gallipoli |
Help us honour Arthur George Wiffen's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Wiffen was only with his unit at Gallipoli for a few days before he was wounded and captured by the Turks on 8 August 1915. He was repatriated to Port Said in Egypt on the 14 December 1918 having survived over three years as a POW. After being treated for malaria and debility he was sent home in early 1919. He enlisted again during WW2, lowering his age by 10 years, and served in Syria and New Guinea as VX23063 Warrant Officer AG Wiffen.
Letter received by Arthur George Wiffen’s wife, Bertha…….
FROM CONSTANTINOPLE dated Aug 22nd 1915.
Just a few lines to let you know I am alive but, as you know a Prisoner. I had a miraculous escape from death. On Saturday, August 7 my rifle was struck in 3 places by bullets, buy never got a scratch. On Sunday August 8, we advanced I went up about 500 yards before I was shot in the thumb of my right hand. It made a bit of a hole, but thanks to the Turkish Medical Corps, I have almost recovered the full use of my hand again. The Turks are treating us splendidly. They made a great fuss of us and the least I can say of the ordinary Turkish soldiers is that they would share the last drop of water out of their bottles with us. I have got a good mate with me Syd Drake of Drysdale. He got cut off in the same way as I was but got out of it without a scratch. Lucky fellow. Sergeant ……& Second Lieutenant ……combe and …… 10 other 14th (Victorian) Battalion chaps are here also and a number of Tommies. I have lost everything.
Letter was printed in the Warwick Examiner Newspaper on 27th October, 1915 under Australians in Captivity.
DRYSDALE-After many vicissitudes and most trying experiences in various Turkish prison camps since his capture at Lonesome Pine in 1915, Pte. Arthur Wiffen, who still bears evidence of the harsh and callous treatment by his captors, returned to his home at Portarlington last week. This gallant young soldier spent a day or two with his parents, Mr and Mrs. George Wiffen, at Drysdale, where, though weak, he was able to entertain a few friends, prior to continuing his journey to the Port. His account of even a few of the barbarous and ruthless methods meted out to prisoners by the Turks is very painful hearing, and makes one's blood boil. It is to be feared that neither Hun nor Turk will get the half of that which they both richly deserve.
From article in the Geelong Advertiser 11 February 1919.
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