ARBUTHNOT, Stephen John
| Service Number: | 876 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 December 1914, Bonnie Doon, Victoria |
| Last Rank: | Trooper |
| Last Unit: | 8th Light Horse Regiment |
| Born: | Bonnie Doon, Victoria, 21 August 1894 |
| Home Town: | Bonnie Doon, Mansfield, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Bonnie Doon State School |
| Occupation: | Grocer's assistant |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Gallipoli Peninsula, Canakkale Province, Turkey, Gallipoli, Dardanelles, Turkey, 7 August 1915, aged 20 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli Peninsula, Canakkale Province, Turkey |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Bonnie Doon Lone Pine Memorial, Bonnie Doon War Memorial, Lone Pine Memorial to the Missing, Mansfield War Memorial Gates |
Biography contributed by Elizabeth Allen
Stephen John ARBUTHNOT was born in 1894 in Bonnie Doon, Victoria
His parents were Michael ARBUTHNOT and Annie REDFERN
Biography contributed by Houssam Arbid
Stephen John Arbuthnot was the second son of Michael and Annie (Redfern) Arbuthnot, and was born on the 21st of August 1894, in Bonnie Doon, Victoria, Australia. Michael and Annie had 9 children including Stephen (Eliza (Elizabeth) Mary, George James, Matilda, William Michael (died as a child), Dorothea (Dorothy) Frances (McConnell), Kathleen Helen, Mary Elizabeth (Mutton) and William). Michael and Annie were grocers in Bonnie Doon, however prior to his enlistment, Stephen was grocer's assistant and a labourer. They lived on a farm called "Ancona", via Marton. He was raised in the Roman Catholic faith and attended Bonnie Doon State School.
Arbuthnot had a fair complexion and fair hair. He had blue eyes, and he was 5 foot and 9 inches. Arbuthnot looked like his father. Arbuthnot was 20 years old when he enlisted and, at the time, was in good health and had never been convicted of a crime.
Arbuthnot enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force on the 1st December, 1914 and given the service number 876. Enrolled as a Private in the 8th Light Horse Regiment. On the 7th May, 1915 Arbuthnot left Melbourne on the "Polermo" for the Front.
Arbuthnot had at least two relatives also involved in the War, a cousin named James (enlisted 26/8/1914 - Born 12/5/1891) and an uncle John (enlisted 23/9/1915 - Born 15/8/1886). Both relatives survived the war, but Arbuthnot did not.
Arbuthnot landed at the Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey, on the 5th August, 1915, and was killed two days later during the charge at The Nek, along with 465 other members of his unit. He was only involved in the war for 3 months.
His mother's family have planted a pine tree to commemorate his life and service. This tree was propergated from the original Lone Pine of Gallipoli and is located in Bonnie Doon.
Arbuthnot's family received a Victory Medal for his service.
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