Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Arthur Henry Furniss was born on the 4th of July 1896, in Mount Lofty, South Australia. His mother was Mary Tompliton Furniss who lived in Morphett Vale. Arthur was born into a Baptist family and he worked as a farmer prior to enlistment

On the 29th of December 1915, Arthur joined the AIF in Adelaide South Australia. He was just 19 years old. Just a few days after enlisting in the Imperial Force, Arthur was transported to the base camp in Mitcham. From the 4th of January 1916 to the 15th of February 1916, he served in the unit at Lothare, Mitcham. The make-shift camps were set up in farmlands, parks, military bases, and sporting fields. He suffered through poor conditions during his training with little food and water. The recruits were taught through different drills, military command and how to operate basic equipment, such as shotguns or rifles (Department of Veterans' Affairs, 2021). Field patrols, bomb-throwing and trench digging were all part of Arthur’s daily training routine. On the 16th of April 1916, Arthur was promoted to Driver after previously serving as a Private.

Arthur embarked to battle on the HMAT Suevic from the Outer Harbour, South Australia on the 31st of May 1916. After nearly 2 months of travelling through rough waters, he disembarked in Devonport on the 18th of July. Arthur was assigned to the 11th Field Company of Australian Engineers. During WW1, the engineers took on a wide array of tasks, including construction, surveying, mapping, specialised tunnelling, and mining operations. Arthurs division was in charge of excavation of trenches and dugouts, placement of wires and other obstacles, preparation of command posts, water supply, road and bridge construction, etc. The engineers also had responsibility for specialised signalling throughout the battle (vwma.org.au, n.d.). 

On the 28th of November in 1916 he proceeded to France from South Hampton, England. Shortly after arriving in France, he was hospitalised due to illness. He left for the hospital on the 1st of December 1916 and re-joined the unit on the 13th of December. Arthur only returned to battle for a couple of weeks before being admitted to the hospital again due to sickness. During his service in the Imperial Force Arthur was granted leave twice. He went on leave to England on the 23rd of February 1918 and returned on the 9th of March. On the 5th of February 1919, he went on leave to England for the second time, returning on the 13th of February.

Throughout his time serving in the Australian Army, Arthur committed multiple crimes that resulted in punishment. On the 19th of August 1916, Arthur disobeyed an officer in such a way as to show wilful defiance of authority and lawful command given by that superior officer. He was awarded 4 days detention and forfeited 4 days' pay. The following year on the 17th of January 1917, Arthur got in trouble a second time for disobeying a superior officer. He was told to return a load of railway but neglected to do so. He was given 21 days in detention and forfeited a total of 14 days’ pay.

On the 15th of July 1918, Arthur Henry Furniss was awarded the military medal for his service and bravery in the field. The military medal was the most common award among war participants and was given to thousands of Australian soldiers. The medal was awarded to soldiers for gallantry and devotion to duty in WW1(Vic.gov.au, 2019). A letter was sent to Arthur’s mother, Mary, informing her that he had been selected for a military medal. The letter stated, “His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the military medal for bravery in the field to the undermentioned Arthur Henry Furniss” (National Archives of Australia, 1914).

Arthur returned to Australia via the Troop Ship Wahehe on the 10th of May 1919. After 3 years and 8 months of serving in the Australian Army, Arthur Henry Furniss was discharged on the 10th of August 1919. Free to return to his normal life as a farmer in the Adelaide Hills.

Arthur later died of natural causes on the 15th of March 1960. He was buried at Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia. He was extremely lucky to survive the war and died peacefully at the age of 63.

References:

Department of Veterans' Affairs (2021). Training Australian army recruits during World War I | Anzac Portal. [online] anzacportal.dva.gov.au. Available at: https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/wars-and-missions/ww1/military-organisation/training.

National Archives of Australia. (1914). Furniss Arthur Henry : SERN 9722 : POB Mount Lofty SA : POE Adelaide SA : NOK M Furniss Mary Templeton. [online] Available at: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=4001608 [Accessed 3 Jun. 2024].

Vic.gov.au. (2019). Research Guides: Australians in World War 1: Medals. [online] Available at: https://guides.slv.vic.gov.au/wwone_soldiers/medals.

‌vwma.org.au. (n.d.). 11th Field Company Engineers. [online] Available at: https://vwma.org.au/explore/units/223 [Accessed 2 Jun. 2024].

vwma.org.au. (n.d.). Australian Soldiers, Memorials and Military History. [online] Available at: https://vwma.org.au/explore/projects/132345/edit?t=1717417046907  [Accessed 3 Jun. 2024].

www.awm.gov.au. (n.d.). Mitcham, South Australia. Troops fallen in messes at mealtime at Mitcham Army Camp. [online] Available at: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/H18464 [Accessed 4 Jun. 2024].