Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Edwin GIRDLER & Emily Blechynden nee TUCKER

Husband of Heather Elizabeth Girdler, Milton Street, Cooparoo, Brisbane, Queensland

Arthur William Barwell Girdler was the first child of South Australian born Edwin Girdler and English born Emily Blechynden Tucker. He married Heather Elizabeth Florence Crandell on 10 April 1912 in Queensland. Heather was born on 19 June 1892 at Braidwood, New South Wales. She was the fourth child of Charles Crandell and Agnes Elizabeth Cowan. Arthur was a man of 27 years and 7 months when he enlisted for the Great War on 10 November 1915 at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. His occupation was a master saddler at the time. Arthur stated he had served with 13 L.H.R. (Light Horse Regiment) Queensland Militia for the term of his service. He also stated he had been rejected prior to this, on the grounds of being "understandard". Arthur stood 5 feet 5 ¾ inches (167cm) tall and weighed 118 pounds (53.5kg). He was described as having a fresh complexion with blue eyes and brown hair. Arthur noted his religion as Church of England. Arthur listed his wife, who was living at Coorparoo, Brisbane at the time, as his next of kin.

On 10 November 1915, Private Arthur W. B. Girdler of 2 A.R.U. (Aust. Remount Unit) boarded the RMS "Orontes" at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia to serve his King and country. He was promoted to L/Cpl (Lance Corporal) on 01 January 1916 at Maadi. Arthur was admitted to 14 A.G.H. (Aust. General Hospital) in early January 1917 with varicocele at Abbassia and was discharged to duty in mid-February. Arthur rejoined his unit on 15 February 1917 at Heliopolis. On 24 August 1917, he was admitted to 26 Stat. Hosp. (Stationary Hospital) at Ismailia with tonsillitis and was discharged to his unit on 01 September at Moascar. He was charged on 17 May 1918 with being A.W.L. (absent without leave) on 15 May 1918 from 1400hrs to 2130hrs. Arthur was reprimanded and forfeited a total of 1 day's pay. He was admitted to 2 A.S.H. (Aust. Stationary Hospital) on 12 June 1918 with a haematoma and transferred to Rest Camp. He was discharged to duty and marched out to A.R.D. (Aust. Remounts Details) at Jericho on 26 June 1918. He rejoined his unit on 03 December 1918. Arthur was admitted to 4 L.H.F.A. (Light Horse Field Ambulance) on 02 June 1919 with cellulitis and rejoined his unit on 05 June. He embarked Egypt on 26 July 1919 aboard the H.T. "Burma" for his return home. Arthur arrived Australia on 01 September 1919 and was discharged from the A.I.F. (Aust. Imperial Force) on 25 October 1919.

Arthur and 3 sons, Eric Arthur Girdler, Ronald Mervyn (Titch) Girdler and Laurence Edwin Girdler served during WW2. Arthur enlisted as Imbil, Queensland and served from May 1942 to October 1945. Eric was born on 29 September 1913 at Esk, Queensland. He enlisted with the R.A.A.F. (Royal Australian Air Force) on 29 April 1940 at Brisbane. He was a L/Cpl and a member of the 3 S.F.T.S. (Service Flying Training School) at Amberley. Eric was killed when the plane he was in and another clipped each other near Casino, New South Wales. Eric was unable to eject as he did not have a parachute. He was buried with full honours at the Ipswich General Cemetery. Eric is honoured at the Imbil War Memorial and Panel 115 of the Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Titch was born on 16 June 1915 at Cooroy, Queensland. He served with the R.A.A.F. from May 1944 to October 1945. Titch died on 13 August 1959 in Queensland. Laurence Edwin Girdler was born on 04 November 1924 at Gympie, Queensland. He served with the R.A.N. (Royal Australian Navy) from January 1943 to May 1946. Heather passed away on 12 September 1968 at Brisbane, Queensland and was buried with Arthur at the Gympie Cemetery.  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/167613185/arthur-william_barwell-girdler (www.findagrave.com)