Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Arthur FERNANCE was born in 1890 in Ulmarra, New South Wales, Australia, the fourth of eight children born to parents Jane Campbell (née CAVE) and Charles Arthur FERNANCE.  

A single, 25 year old farmer living in Lismore NSW at the time, Arthur enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in Lismore on 18th October, 1915.  After completing his basic recruit training with No. 2 Depot Battalion at Thompson's Paddock Enoggera, Queensland on 14th November, Arthur was assigned as a Trooper, regimental number 2170, and allocated to the 15th reinforcements for the 2nd Light Horse Regiment.  On 15th January 1916, Arthur was promoted to the rank of Corporal whilst still undergoing training with the reinforcements.  He was promoted again to Sergeant on 1st March.  This suggests that he was considered to possess leadership skills, as well as good horsemanship.  Arthur embarked in Brisbane aboard HMAT "Commonwealth" on 28th March 1916, for active service overseas.

Upon disembarking in Suez, Egypt, on 5th May 1916, Arthur marched into the 1st Light Horse Training Regiment in Tel-el-Kebir.  Although he still held the rank of Acting Sergeant up until this time, he reverted back to Trooper upon being evacuated sick to No. 2 Australian Stationary Hospital in Tel-el-Kebir on 2nd July 1916.  Arthur was transferred to Cairo, where he was admitted to the 3rd Australian General Hospital with bronchitis on 10th July.  Later that day, he was transferred to the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital in Abbassia, Cairo, suffering from syphillis (venereal disease).  Once diagnosed with V.D., AIF soldiers were not paid for the time they remained in hospital being treated for such.  This was intended to deter soldiers from patronising the many brothels around Cairo, and other areas where they spent their leave.

Arthur was discharged from hospital on 7th August 1916, and was again taken on strength with the 1st Light Horse Training Regiment, in Moascar, the next day.  On 15th August, Arthur was finally taken on strength with the 2nd Light Horse Regiment (LHR), in Romani.  Here, as part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, they'd been in camp since the beginning of the month, with a daily routine that included taskings for reconnaissance patrols, escorts, and outpost duties.

On 2nd November 1916, Arthur marched into the Details Depot at Kantara, for some temporary respite from arduous desert operations, returning to duty with the 2nd LHR on 19th November.  This would have have him back in time to take part in the Battle of Magdhaba on 23rd December when, as part of the ANZAC Mounted Division, the 1st Light Horse Brigade (of which the 2nd LHR were part), attacked the Ottoman forces in the northern Sinai desert which were blocking their way to Palestine.  Arthur was again involved in The Battle of Rafa, on 9th January 1917, which would be the final battle to complete the Allied capture of the Sinai Peninsula.

Arthur was evacuated sick to hospital from Mazar on 14th March 1917.  Two days later, he was admitted to the 14th Australian General Hospital in Cairo, for a blood test for unspecified reasons.  The result "proved negative", when received on 25th March, and Arthur was discharged back to the 1st Light Horse Training Regiment in Moascar the same day.  On 6th May 1917, Arthur marched into the Imperial School of Instruction in Zeitoun, where he completed the 26th Hotchkiss Gunner's Course, before returning to the 1st Light Horse Training Regiment on 16th May.  Arthur was again taken on strength with the 2nd LHR in Mazar on 1st June.

On 11th June 1917, Arthur was evacuated sick to the 53rd Welsh Casualty Clearing Station (CCS) in Rafa, Egypt.  He was transferred via the 26th CCS to the No. 24 Stationary Hospital in Kantara on 13th June.  Arthur was admitted to the 14th Australian General Hospital in Abbassia, Cairo, on 15th June, where he was diagnosed as suffering from synovitis of the knee.  This condition causes painful stiffness and swelling, and was to prematurely end the War for Arthur.

On 12th November 1917, Arthur embarked aboard the HMAT "Wiltshire" in Suez, Egypt, for return to Australia.  He disembarked in Sydney on 20th December, and subsequently arrived in Brisbane by train the following afternoon.  Arthur was discharged in the 1st Military District, Brisbane, on 24th January 1918, due to being medically unfit for further service, with sub-acute rheumatism of his knees.  He was later awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, as well as the Silver War Badge and Discharged Returned Soldier's Badge, for his service.  On 14th March 1918, Arthur was one of five returned local soldiers who were honoured at the Main Arm Hall by the Welcome Home Committee and guests.  They were each presented with an inscribed gold fob medallion in recognition of the community's appreciation of their service in the Great War.

In 1920, Arthur married Eva Jane LAW in Sydney.  They had a daughter named Glory the following year, who would go on to become a school teacher at Willoughby High School, and marry 2nd AIF Lieutenant Thomas William Richard TEARNE, in 1953. 

Arthur FERNANCE died in Wyoming, New South Wales, on 23rd August 1982.  He was 91 years of age.  Arthur's ashes were interred at the Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens and Crematorium in North Ryde, NSW.

Compiled by Karan CAMPBELL-DAVIS from historical records held by the National Archives of Australia (Service Record);  Australian War Memorial (2nd Light Horse Regt. Unit War Diaries);  Births, Deaths and Marriages NSW;  Find A Grave website;  and various newspaper articles on Trove.