Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Arthur Fredrick Von Duve, born on the 20th of February 1897, in Kalangadoo SA (AWM, 2024). He was educated at Kalangadoo Public School. Von Duve’s religious background was Presbyt, his parents were Adolph Theodore Hienrich Von Duve and Alice Von Duve. He had seven sisters: Florence Elizabeth Koop, Lillian May Von Duve, Ruby Dorathea Von Duve, Myrtle Agnes Von Duve, Olive Von Duve, Ivy Pearl Von Duve and Mavis Evelyn Von Duve (Geni, 2018).

Von Duve was only four months past his 18th birthday when he enlisted in the AIF signing the oath on 12th August 1915. His Attestation Papers for enlistment were signed in Adelaide, Australia and his details were perfect – good health and clear vision. Before enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force, Von Duve was a labourer meaning he worked in manual labour.Von Duve embarked for active service abroad on the RMS Malwa, 2nd of December 1915, for Egypt (Birtwistle Wiki, 2021).

As part of the 10th Battalion, recruited in South Australia after basic training, Von Duve first embarked for further training in Cario, Egypt. He was a part of the Australian Reinforcement troops that docked in Cairo after the failed Gallipoli campaign, to join the veterans of the 10th Battalion. This event was known as the ‘doubling’ of the AIF.

On the 10th of March 1916 Von Duve was admitted to hospital in Cairo with Influenza. He spent some time in hospital before he embarked at Alexandrina to reinforce the 10th Battalion in France. He joined the 10th Battalion in July 1916 to fight at Pozieres, and for the next two-and-a-half years took part in trench warfare in France and Belgium.

The 10th battalion then fought at Ypres in Flanders before returning to the Somme for winter. Von Duve was involved in many battles in the Somme valley on the Western Front. In the Somme valley there was the bloodiest battle in British military history which resulted in the loss of life of millions of Allied and German troops. 

During his time on the Western Front Von Duve had treatment for health issues. In January of 1917 he was admitted to the 5th D.R.S for dental problems and on 21st September 1917 he was wounded in action in Belgium with sharpnel wound in his right eye and severe gassing. He was evacuated from the front and transferred to Queen Alexandria hospital in Cosham, England and then to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital in Dartford. In late October Van Duve took furlough from 17th October 1917 to 31st October 1917 before reporting to depot at Weymouuth. He was then transferred to No 2 Command Depot in Tidworth to convalesce and train. Von Duve was later, on 7th of June 1918, be selected for special duty with the Imperial Army. Six days later, 13th of June 1918, he was at the Administration Headquarters, London, for duty.

By the 23rd of June 1918 Von Duve disembarked at Mermansk, Russia, from England as part of the Elope Force, and allied intervention in Russia. The Elope Force was a group of NREF (North Russian Expeditionary Force) soldiers who were sent to Archangelsk, Russia (AWM, 2024). In the wake of the Russian Revolution (8th March 1917 to 16th June 1923), Britain dispatched the NREF to Murmansk and Archangelsk, Russia. Von Duve was one of the nine Australians who were part of the NREF, serving in a range of administrative, instructional, and advisory roles.

On the 27th of June 1919 he reported to Administration Headquarters, London, and was granted leave until the 28th the same month. On the 9th of August 1919 Von Duve left England for return to Australia per Hired Transport on the “Ceramic”. The HMAT A40 Ceramic was a ship part of His Majesty’s Australian Transport Ships, it was leased by the Commonwealth until the 9th of July 1917.

On the 16th of November 1919 he was discharged from the A.I.F at Adelaide after termination of period of enlistment. His final rank was Sergeant after being promoted during his time in the Elope Force.

Von Duve served in WW1 for 3 years, 11 months and 14 days, enduring the brutally harsh conditions of the Western Front. Despite his injuries and severe gas exposure adapted to various roles and locations, France, Belgium, England, and Russia - demonstrating adaptability to different environments and duties⁠. These examples showcase Von Duve's physical and mental endurance throughout his military service, facing various challenges and continuing to serve despite injuries and harsh environments and conditions.

After the war Von Duve married Honorah Julia Maney, and had three children: Margaret Alice Von Duve, Fredrick William Von Duve and Particia Jean Von Duve. Von Duve died on the 30th of June 1982 of natural causes in Glencoe SA, where his mother had lived. He was 85 years old. Arthur Fredrick Von Duve was buried in Carinya Gardens Cemetery, Mount Gambier SA, Allotment N, Row 18-3.

Lest we forget.

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