Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Arthur George Klenner was born on the 22nd of February 1890, in Norwood, Adelaide. His only known parent is his father, Herman Klenner, who died in 1928. He also had 7 unknown siblings. As an adult, he worked as an electrical labourer. After the war ended he married Linda Victoria Mudridge. 

Klenner enlisted on the 19th of August 1914 at a recruitment office in Morphettville.  A couple of months later, on the 20th of October, the day of embarkment had arrived. As part of the 10th battalion, he sailed to Alexandria in Egypt on the HMAT Ascanius A11

When men first joined the AIF they were ranked as privates. This was Klenner’s rank until the 22nd of March 1916, when he was promoted to Sergeant. Klenner reached his final rank during the war on the 16th of April 1917, as a 2nd lieutenant which is the lowest ranking senior officer. 

Klenner had some ear trouble during training and was sent to a hospital in Cairo. A few days later, he had acquired a gastrointestinal infection called dysentery which made him remain in hospital until Gallipoli. The ANZACs then retreated back to the training grounds in Egypt and replenished their troops and trained harder.

On the 23rd of July 1916, he fought at the Western Front at Pozieres. The Germans had conquered a farm called Mouquet Farm (or as the Anzacs called it ‘Moo Cow Farm.’) where they had advantages against Britain. The point of this battle was to capture the trenches, the outskirts, the main road in the village and ultimately conquer the land. As Klenner was a private at the time, his role was to battle on the war front using weapons such as rifles, grenades, artillery and hand to hand combat against the opponent. The ANZACS suffered many casualties, becoming one of the most destructive battles at the time. After many deaths, injuries, and a little help from other divisions, the British had found victory. The battle ended on the 3rd of September. Sadly, a day later, Klenner developed Varicocele, which is a disease that prohibits blood flow to important body parts.

Throughout this battle, Klenner proved he was a strong soldier. On the 26th of March 1918, while he was Mondicourt, France he demonstrated this by single handily captured an enemy machine gun and took down the whole enemy team which allowed him to be promoted, recognised by his superior officer and get a Military Cross Medal for bravery. This was featured on the London Gazette. The London Gazette was able to promote soldiers from Australia and their achievements because they are part of British forces.

As a result of Klenner’s actions, he was promoted to a Sergeant and then 2nd Leutenant.  Klenner received secondment for his new duty in Tidalow, England. 

After the war,  he lived until 1961 (Age 71) the cause of his death is unknown.

The awards he received for being a good soldier were a Military Cross, which is awarded for gallantry against enemy operations. He was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British War Medal and a Victory Medal.