Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Thomas Arthur Lace, known in our family as Arthur, was the second youngest child of Philip Edward Lace & Annie Kneen. In 1912 he emigrated to Australia, arriving in Sydney onboard the "Orama" to join his brother, Philip Kneen Lace who had arrived the previous year, Philip was 4 years older & the 4th youngest child. Arthur made his way to the Central West of NSW & found work on properties as a labourer, here he also made many friends & when the war broke out Arthur decided he wanted to defend his new-found country which was supporting his homeland so on 9th October, 1914 he travelled to Liverpool, NSW & enlisted, he was only 19 years old. On 19th December, 1914 Arthur embarked on HMAT A31 "Ajana" in Sydney & arrived in Egypt on 1st February, 1915, he then proceeded to Gallipoli, it is here that he suffered his first injury on 28th August, 1915, he was also injuried in Egypt, the last time was a GSW to the right elbow which was to plague him for many years until about 1936 when a painful operation was performed to scrap away the damaged bones, as a result he had to wear a leather cast until his arm healed.

Arthur was also involved in the Battle of Beersheba which started on 31st October, 1917, still just a boy at 22.

Arthur was discharged from the A.I.F. on 22nd August, 1920, five years later he married an Australian girl in Coonamble & they had 2 daughters. Prior to marrying Arthur formed the Lakemba Bankstown Carrying Company with a partner, Richard Phillips, in 1923, the company survived until 1944  when both Arthur & Richard  passed away within 6 weeks of each other.

Arthur was a good man who helped many family & friends by way of giving them a job within his company, he was thought highly of by all. At the time of writing this (April 2015), he is survived by his two daughters who are very proud of their Dad.