ARTHUR, Leonard Frank
| Service Number: | 27244 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 30 July 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Wilmington, South Australia, 12 June 1913 |
| Home Town: | Willowie, Mount Remarkable, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Natural Causes, Booleroo Centre, South Australia, 20 March 1976, aged 62 years |
| Cemetery: |
Melrose Cemetery, South Australia |
| Memorials: | Melrose Memorial Arch and Gates, Melrose WW2 Roll of Honour, Willowie WW2 Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 30 Jul 1940: | Involvement Sergeant, 27244 | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Jul 1940: | Enlisted Adelaide | |
| 30 Jul 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 27244 | |
| 11 Oct 1945: | Discharged |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Di Barrie
Leonard Frank Arthur (commonly known as Frank) was born at Wilmington Cottage Hospital on the 12 June 1913, eldest son of Walter Leonard and Myrtle Phoebe (nee Morgan) Arthur. Walter and Myrtle owned ‘Willomere’, and farmed Sections 53, 74, 75, 76n, 76m.n., and 149, Hundred of Willowie. Frank was single when he enlisted with the RAAF on the 30 July 1940, aged 26 years. At the time of his enlistment he listed his occupation as a farmer.
Reporting for duty at No. 1 Recruit Depot, Laverton, Frank commenced his service as Aircraft Hand with the rank and pay of Aircraftsman, Class 1. After stints at Geelong and Ascot Vale he was posted to No. 3 Squadron RAAF, which was one of twelve permanent RAAF squadrons when war broke out. It was assigned to the 6th Division as an army co-operation squadron when it was deployed to the Middle East in mid-1940.
No. 3 Squadron would serve the entire war in the Mediterranean Theatre as part of the Allied Desert Air Force (later the First Tactical Air Force), supporting the 8th Army. On the 5 April 1941 Frank left Australia to join the squadron. He was first based at Aqir then Lydda in Palestine, and subsequently Rayak, in Syria.
Frank left Egypt on the 10 August 1942 to return home to Australia. In September 1942 he trained at No. 2 Bombing and Gunnery School, Port Pirie South Australia. On the 28 November 1942 he married Sybil Muriel (nee Bull) Arthur. In January of 1943 he was posted to Air Armament School at Hamilton, Victoria.
On the 19 February 1945, whilst stationed at No.6 Service Flying Training School, Mallala, South Australia, Frank and Sybil’s first son was born.
Frank was discharged from the RAAF on the 11 October 1945 with the rank of Sergeant and the classification of Aerodrome Defence Instructor. His certificate of service and discharge lists his character as exemplary, the highest character which can be awarded in the RAAF. The certificate stated that it is only awarded in very special circumstances to an airman with more than five years’ service.
Frank and Sybil moved to a farm east of Melrose, in the Hundred of Wongyarra, late 1946. They went on to have two more sons. He farmed this property until his death on 20 March 1976, aged 62 years, and is buried at Melrose Cemetery, South Australia.
Excerpt taken from "Diggers From the Dust" (2018) Di Barrie & Andrew Barrie.
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