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Australia

Arthur was the third son born to Henry George and Lillian May Hedges Wilson (Lily) on the 12th March, 1916, according to his enlistment record. (On his family headstone at Cheltenham Cemetery his birth is recorded as 1914.) He was one of four sons, including Bill, Bert and Robert Charles who later served with the 2/10th, rising to become Sergeant SX8490.
Whilst Arthur was still a child of four, his 29-year-old mother, Lily, died on the 4 October 1920 and was buried in the Cheltenham cemetery. Her family and sons continued to remember her in the ensuing years. WILSON.—In loving memory of our dear daughter-in-law and sister-in-law, died October 4th, 1920. God knows how much we miss her; He counts the tears we shed. And whispers, Hush Lily’s only sleeping Your loved one is not dead. Inserted by her loving mother-in-law and sister-in-law. WILSON ln loving memory of my dear wife and mother, who died on 4th October, 1920. God knows how much we miss her More than loving words can tell. Not one day have we forgotten you, since you bade this world farewell. How constantly we think of you, dear wife and mother, with eyes and hearts that fill; The love we had for you in life, In death seems stronger still —Inserted by her loving husband and children. WILSON.—In loving memory of our dear daughter, Lily May, third loved daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Scott, Semaphore-road, Exeter, aged 29 years. At rest. Twas hard to part with one we loved, But God alone knew best: He knew the suffering that she bore. And called her home to rest. —Inserted by her loving mother and father. WILSON.—In loving memory of dear Lil, who died October 4th, 1920. Safely, safely gathered in, Free from sorrow, pain, and sin. —Fondly remembered by her loving brother and sister-in-law, Walter and Ivy.
Arthur and his brothers grew up in the suburb of Glanville, near Port Adelaide, S.A. The boys also attended the Semaphore Sunday school and Port Adelaide Primary School where Arthur proved to be a capable sportsman and a talented footballer, captaining the Ethelton team. Hearing of Arthur’s death in November ’42 his Sunday School teacher, known as Philo, wrote in the Kadina and Wallaroo Times, ‘I had word that another young man, who was one of my Sunday scholars at Semaphore some years ago, in the person of Arthur Wilson, had been killed in action. "These boys, to me, meant much in those days, and when I sit and ponder over them, I recall many things of interest in those, early days of their lives. We honor them for their sacrifice, even unto death.’
Post school Arthur began work with Charlick brothers who established a retail fruit and vegetable business in Adelaide, being instrumental in the establishment of the Adelaide Fruit and Produce Company in the East End in 1904.
Arthur also had an interesting ‘interaction’ with the law. He placed a bet for a young lad who had approached him in May ’38, with 5/- to place on a horse named Tempest, which Arthur obligingly did. When challenged the young lad had explained that the bet ‘was for his mother’. However, Arthur’s generosity was perceived that he had ‘unlawfully directly received from Douglas Hartland, a person under the age of 21 years, on behalf of another person, money to be used for the purpose of betting.’ Arthur pleaded guilty but still received a severe dressing down from the magistrate who warned "You and people like you, are getting the betting laws into disrepute. Such offences are liable to six months' imprisonment. You can bear in mind, and also inform your friends who might be inclined to do the same thing, that in future cases I will consider imposing imprisonment instead of a fine."
Two years later, with the outbreak of WWII, Arthur and his brother Robert both enlisted on 10th July 1940, just after Arthur’s 24th birthday. Robert became SX8490 in the 2/10th Battalion and Arthur with the successive number of SX8491 was allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. Their brothers William served in the Navy and Albert in the militia.
Arthur’s initial training days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, before he and the other new enlistees headed to Woodside to continue their preliminary training. Following pre-embarkation leave the large contingent embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, before finally disembarking on the 19th December 1940. Close friendships were forged in the tight-knit Battalion, with its motto of no surrender, no retreat and which came to be famously known as part of the highly respected Rats of Tobruk, a term initially given as a derogatory title, but in typical Aussie fashion was adopted with lasting pride.
On the 31st October 1942, 27-year-old Arthur was killed on one of the most devastating encounters for the 2/48th Battalion. Definitive news slowly drifted back about that horrific battle where the Battalion lost 199 men killed or wounded of their 292 involved in that night’s conflict – over 68 percent of their men. John Glenn in his book, Tobruk to Tarakan describes the conditions: ‘Battalion headquarters, continuing to move forward, passed through the gap between B and C Companies, only to find themselves four hundred yards in advance of the leading companies and meeting heavy enemy resistance close to the final objective. Casualties were mounting among the headquarter personnel. Corporal Bill Cashen and Private Murray Nicholson of the orderly room staff, Sergeant Lindsay Goode and Corporal Tas Scutt of the signals, and Private Vin McGahan had all been killed.’ He continued:
‘Battalion headquarters was out of communication with D Company, the reason which was not then known, being that all members of D Company headquarters had been either killed or wounded. In fact, 16 of their men had been killed on the objective, leaving a company of six to carry on. Just as the company was nearing its objective, the men had approached two mounds with a saddle in between. Fifty yards from these they were met by a murderous fire from the mounds. D Company immediately went to ground, but the Germans swept the area where they lay in the open. Captain P Robbins, a very gallant soldier, was among the first to be hit by a Spandau bullet, which killed him instantly. “Chuck” Fowler who never left Robbins’ side, was next to fall. The remnants of the Company were being cut to pieces. Private Doug Whyte of the “I” Section, Arthur Wilson, Private E.S. Schubert, Sergeant P.M. Ide and Eric Montgomerie were all killed in this exposed position.”
The Official-War Correspondent, Kenneth Slessor in lengthy newspaper articles published in March ’43 described the conditions at the time, including how Private Percy Gratwick and Sergeant Bill Kibby won individual Victoria Crosses for their exceptional bravery.
‘Then came the night of October 30/31, "Our job was to cut west across Thompson's Post take the railway, straddle the coast road and then work back cleaning up enemy pockets and strong posts," said Martin. "We straddled the road all right and then started to work back east. D Company cleaning up between the road and the sea. It was easy at first, but then we ran into real opposition. We saw a couple of lights shoot up from a ridge—actually there were two humps, one on the left and one on the right, with a saddle be-tween. We got within 50 yards and then they opened fire-and how!
"Three Spandau's started shooting from the hump on the left and two more and a couple of three inch mortars from the right. At first it came waist-high, but when we went down like wet sacks they, sent the stuff skimming just over the top of the ground. We got most of our casualties there. Captain Robbins hadn't made a mistake to that stage, refusing to be bluffed. A burst from a Spandau killed him and another got his batman, "Chuck" Fowler, of Port Pirie. Another got Doug Whyte, from St. Peters. Arthur Wilson, of Glanville was killed, and Sergeant Rod Ide, of Lameroo, and Eric Montgomerie, from the West Coast. Ray Bloffwitch, of Bowden, was wounded and a piece of mortar bomb broke Norman Learney's leg. We were all over the show and badly cut up. Unless we could be got together to wipe those Jerries off the ridge they were certain to wipe us out. That's when Kibby got going, yelling orders and re-organising, and, in no time we were ready for a crack at that ridge. We split into two sections. There were a few from Company Headquarters with us and they were in section with myself and Len Steike, detailed to clean up the Jerries on the left. Kibby was with the others. Well, we cleaned up the Jerries on the left, but that didn't help. Kibby's section had been driven to earth scarcely 20 yards in front of a Spandau which was ripping them to pieces. We seemed to be in a worse position than before, being nearer and more exposed. Kibby saved the bunch of us. We saw him run forward with a grenade in his hand and throw it. Then he disappeared, but after that grenade exploded there wasn't any more firing from that quarter. We stayed quiet for a while, and then looked at the shambles around us There were dead and wounded everywhere. On the way east we had captured a German Regimental Aid Post and we set about getting our wounded back there. We collected a couple of Jerry prisoners, found an iron bedstead, put Norman, Learney aboard and told them to carry him. We were dogtired by daylight when we retired a couple of hundred, yards and dug in. It wasn't until two days, later that we had an opportunity to go out and look for our dead. When we got to the place they had disappeared. We guessed that Jerry had dropped them in a shallow trench and covered them over, so we started searching below every freshly turned patch of sand. We spent ten days searching before we found them. They were all lying together in one grave. We took them out and did the job properly, burying them in a row —Bill Kibby, Peter Robbins, Rod Ide, Doug Whyte, Chuck Fowler, with Eric Montgomerie just behind. We couldn't say much, but I guess we all knew, every man of us, that if it hadn't been for Bill Kibby we might have been lying there with them."
Back home the devastating news was given to his father, Henry and publicised in the Advertiser on Wednesday 25th November ’42. ‘Mr. H. G. Wilson, of Bucknall road, Glanville, has been notified that his third son, Pte. Arthur George Wilson, was killed in action in Egypt on October 31. Pte. Wilson saw service in Syria and Libya, and was seven months in Tobruk. A brother returned from overseas last March and is now serving in New Guinea. He has two other brothers in the services, one being in the RAN and the other in the AMF, Northern Territory. Pte. Wilson joined up in July, 1940, and sailed for overseas in November of the same year. Before enlisting he was captain of the Ethelton football team and was employed by Charlick Bros.’
Arthur was reburied in the El Alamein War cemetery in Egypt, Plot XVI. A. 23 in March ’43. He now rests with Privates Douglas Whyte SX7987, Arthur Noak SX9399 and Ernest Schubert SX7695 all from the 2/48th who died with Arthur. His father chose the inscription for Arthur’s headstone ‘He gave the most that man can give – life itself’

The survivors from the 2/48th, also devastated by the deaths, continued to remember their compatriots, as did family and friends.
Advertiser November 1942, WILSON. —A tribute to my dear pal, Arthur who was killed in action in Egypt. Oct. 31. —Ever remembered by his Friend, Barbara. WILSON. —Killed In action, Egypt October 31. Pte. Arthur George, aged 27 years, loved nephew of Mrs. A. J. Stanton, cousin of Clarice, Mabel, Edie, Walter (AMF) WILSON. —Killed in action Egypt. Oct 31. Pte Arthur George aged 27. third son or Mr. and late Mrs. H. G. Wilson, grandson of Mrs. E. A. Wilson. 40 Bucknall Rd. Glanville. brother of Bill (RAN) Bert (AMF) Bob (AIF). WILSON. —A loving tribute to Arthur killed in action on Oct. 31. He gave his life for his King and country. Proudly remembered by his cousins. Max and Dick (2nd AIF) returned. WILSON. —In loving memory of our nephew, Arthur, killed in action in Egypt on Oct. 31. Loved in life, honored in death Ever remembered by his aunties, Rube, Nell Uncle George. WILSON. —In loving memory of Arthur, who made the supreme sacrifice in Egypt, Oct. 31. There are memories that will never fade. —Inserted by his loving brother Bob (ret.) and fiancé, Roma Hollands. WILSON. —A tribute of love to our cousin, Arthur G., aged 27 years, killed in Egypt. October 31, His duty nobly done. —Inserted by Mabel and Joe Kidd and family. Rosewater.
Mail Saturday 30 October 1943, WILSON. — A tribute to the memory of my dear pal, Arthur G., killed in action in Egypt. October 31. 1942. Ever re membered by Barbara. Advertiser November 1943, WILSON. —In loving memory of our dear brother, Pte. Arthur A. Wilson, killed in action El Alamein, Oct. 31. 1342. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember him. Bob and sister-in-law Roma. WILSON A tribute to mv pal, Arthur Wilson, killed Oct. 31. 1942. at El Alamein. Deep in my heart a memory is kept of pal so true I will never forget. —, Inserted by Bill Evans (RAAF) A token of remembrance to our dear pals of C Company, who fell at El Alamein. Nov. 1 and 2, 1942. —Ever remembered by Paul Daniel and Reg Buckerfield A.1.F. returned. In memory of Don, sub gun crew. Field Reg. Dick Pope, Jack Poyntz, Jack Watson, Jim Dadds, Tom Wilson, killed in action El Alamein, Oct. 31. 1942.—Inserted by Tom Chapman. Everlasting memories of our pals, Sgt. L. R. Goode. M.M. Cpl. T. A. Scutt and Pte. Doug Whyte. who made the supreme sacrifice El Alamein Oct. 31. 1942. "They died that others may live In a world of freedom. —inserted by their 9th Dlv. pals. A tribute of remembrance to all my comrades who gave thelr lives at El Alamein. "My thoughts are always with you all!"—Ever remembered by Dick Dawson. AIF., ret.

Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.