EASTHER, Arthur Stanley
| Service Number: | 280 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 43rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Bouth, Australia , date not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Boot maker |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 24 April 1918, age not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Bonnay Communal Cemetery Extension Bonnay Communal Cemetery Extension, Picardie, France |
| Memorials: | Adelaide National War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 9 Jun 1916: | Involvement Private, 280, 43rd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Afric embarkation_ship_number: A19 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Jun 1916: | Embarked Private, 280, 43rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Afric, Adelaide |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Saint Ignatius' College
Private Arthur Stanley Easther.
Private Arthur Stanley Easther was born in 1885 in Orroroo, South Australia, he was raised by his mother alongside his brother, and he did not know who his father was. Arthur’s first job was an apprenticeship at Roach Thod, after 4 years Arthur took up a bookmaking as his profession. During this time Arthur did not marry.
On January the sixth 1916 two years into the Great War, Arthur Joined the Australian military forces at that time Arthur was 309/12 years old. Arthur was assigned to the 43rd infantry battalion, this battalion was one of the more active battalions constantly receiving and returning fire. This battalion specialised in machining gunning and snipers.
Arthur proceeded to Davenport, England the ride there took him 5 months from the outer port, Arthur went straight to South Hampton and then when to Marseille to train. Arthur trained in Marseille for a year in this harsh and merciless conditions of France. After a year of training, Arthur was placed in the field. The 43rd I. battalion fought off Germans in trench warfare. Arthur’s first day on the field was like any other, the sounds of artillery booming in the background, the piercing whistle of the bullets flying and droning of the machine guns. That day was extremely active but still, no progress was made. The next day was quieter with a little fire and few exchanges of bullets this would have given Arthur a chance to meet a few of his few 418 fellow soldiers.
The battalion didn’t travel far from out of France. After a year of fighting Arthur went on leave to England, unlike other from his a battalion Arthur had not major injuries. Unfortunately, his vacation did not last longer than a month as he was back with his battalion and had to re-familiarize himself with the sounds of war.
On the 28/2/1917 the battalion was heavily attacked. It started at 6 a.m. when a shower of bullets and shrapnel polluted the air. They were slow to respond losing 4 soldiers and 6 other injured. The fighting went on through the day neither sides backing down until approximately 4 in the afternoon. This may have been because both sides were low on ammunition. The trenches defence Arthur fought in were extremely damaged and they were at a very vulnerable state.
For the next two months, Arthur went relatively unhurt until on fate full day. On the 24/4/18 the 43rd battalion was stuck in an intense firefight with Germany. The usual machine gunfire and sniper shot but also were being attacked by aeroplanes the Germans managed to shoot down one of the planes. Arthur was killed in this fight, he was a brave man, son, soldier, brother and comrade and his memory live on.