Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Biography- Arthur James Sutton, Service number 6862

Arthur James Sutton was born in the small town of Kadina, South Australia, on the 13th of August, 1883.

During his teenage years, Arthur started working in neighbouring farm sheds as a rouseabout in his spare time. During his late teens, he worked as a farm hand. When he was sixteen he received a broken rib while working with cattle.

At the age of eighteen, Arthur and his family moved closer in town. Arthur then needed a new job so he started working at the Moonta Mines as a part time job. One year later he was working there full time.

In Arthur's mid-twenties he met and married Hilda Jane Curnow.

In late 1913 Arthur and his wife decided to have a baby. In June of 1914, Arthur departed for war at the age of thirty-three and seven months. Later, his wife had their baby and named him Verdon.

Arthur's reasons for enlistment were unknown, but his family believed he wanted to help out his country, he also witnessed his cousin and close friends enlisting as well, which could have influenced his decision.

Arthur served in the 10th Infantry Battalion. Throughout his time serving he was put into hospital many times due to gastroenteritis, and in 1916, he fractured his ankle.

Arthur left Adelaide and started travelling to England on the HMAT AFRIC on the 9th of January, 1917. On the 3rd of March, 1917, two months after arriving in England, Arthur was hospitalised for unknown reasons. Days later he returned to the 3rd training Battalion in Darrington.

One month later, on 5th of April, 1917, Arthur was admitted to a military hospital with Mumps; once again he returned to the 3rd training Battalion on the 12th of April, 1917.

On 14th of May, 1917, Arthur proceeded to France and joined the 10th Infantry Battalion.

On the 22nd of May Arthur was in and out of the Australian Divisional Hospital, due to unknown causes.

Later, on the 2nd of September, 1917, Arthur was re-admitted to the 3rd Australian Field Ambulance.

He then transferred hospitals on the 2nd September 1917- order 962.

On the 19th of September, 1917 he then was put to duty and served in Le Havre.

Arthur then went back to England on the 7th January, 1918 on the ship, Saint Patrick, due to having severe trench feet and critical frostbitten fingers.

While in England on the 2nd to the 5th of March, 1918 Arthur was absent without leave and due to this lost a total of nine days pay.

Then on the 30th of May, 1918, Arthur proceeded to France.

After the war had finished in November of 1918, Arthur had to stay behind for another two years for “special help”. In May of 1920 Arthur was discharged and returned to South Australia on the Indarra. Throughout the war, he served on the France, Normandy, Boulogne and Le Havre battlefields.

Once home from war Arthur returned to Kadina, South Australia to his wife, where he met his then seven-year-old son, Verdon. In 1921 Arthur and his wife had another baby named Melva Jean. Then in 1924 they had another son named Lawrie. Later, in 1926 they had another child, Merle but sadly she only lived for a total of six hours.

Arthur James Sutton died in 1944. He was buried in Adelaide, South Australia at the West Terrace Cemetery.