Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Arnold was the youngest son of Martin and Elizabeth Power of Glenelg. He was born in Adelaide on the 3rd May 1913 and had older brothers, Alfred Cleveland (Cleve), John and Harold.
Arnold was known by his middle name, Gordon. Just days prior to his 16th birthday his father was unexpectedly involved in an accident that could well have been fatal. Martin had been driving his work lorry for Miller’s Lime Ltd when a young lad asked for a ride from Thebarton. Impulsively, the lad jumped from the moving lorry near Commercial Road the Port Adelaide Police Station before it had come to a stop. Resultantly he sustained concussion and was taken to hospital, an event that was concerning for Martin.
The family was supportive of the local Glenelg Scouts and Cubs which held regular ‘Blue and Gold’ dances at the Maison de Danse where Cub flags were draped from the balcony with their motto, "Do Your Best." This may well have been where Gordon first became interested in his duty to serve in Australia.
Gordon worked as a butcher, announcing his engagement to Jean Winifred Lawson of Mypolonga in January ’40. Five months later, with the outbreak of WWII aged 27, he enlisted on the 24th June. He was given the number SX7055 and allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. Training at Woodside in the Adelaide Hills followed. Gordon took the opportunity to marry Jean in August ’40. The following month he was quickly promoted to Acting Lance Sergeant before enjoying brief leave and heading overseas on the Stratheden on the 17th November with the rank of Warrant Officer II and arriving in the Middle East on the 7th December.
Little did Gordon then know that he was to become one of the highly regarded Rats of Tobruk. Initially Lord Haw Haw, describing the conditions in which the men lived as being ‘like rats’ - a derogatory term designed to encourage the Allied troops to surrender. Typically, it was seized as an unofficial, proud title.
In January ’42 Godon contracted an extremely high temperature (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin), spending a few days in hospital. By April he was undertaking a 10-day Unarmed Combat course before being detached for Special Duties.
Finally, he was able to return to Australia via Melbourne with his 2/48th Battalion at the commencement of February ’43. Following precious leave, he headed to Queensland to train in the tropical conditions in preparation for service in New Guinea. He arrived in Milne Bay in early August ’43. A series of health issues began to surface, including varicose veins, flat feet and Dengue fever, then on the return voyage to Australia, malaria, which continued to flair. By October ’44 Gordon’s varicose veins had become inflamed and causing ongoing pain in his right leg. However, service in North Borneo followed in March ’45 for the closing days of the war, then a return to Brisbane in October and Gordon’s eventual discharge on the 2nd November.
By ’46, Gordon’s personal life was unsettled, as were those of so many others who returned from theatres of war.
Aged 82 Arnold died on the 1st June ’95. He is buried with his parents, Martin and Elizabeth and his family in the North Brighton Cemetery, Section F, Row 78 West. His plaque is faded and now difficult to read. He is also remembered in the South Australian Garden of Remembrance on Wall 2 Row V.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.