Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Service Number: WX1219
Unit: Australian Army Provost Corps (WWII)
Born: 2 November 1915, Perth, Western Australia
Died: 9 June 1969, Clearview, South Australia
Burial: Enfield Memorial Park, South Australia



Early Life and Pre‑War Service

Arthur Vernon Stradwick was born on 2 November 1915 in Perth, Western Australia. By trade, he was a carpenter and joiner. On 1 February 1939, at the age of 23, he voluntarily enlisted in the Militia Forces at Perth, joining the 13th Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers. At enlistment he stood 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighed 147 pounds, and had fair hair and blue eyes. He was married to Irene Ethel Campbell Stradwick (née Campbell) and lived at 125 Grosvenor Road, Mount Lawley, WA.



Enlistment in the Second AIF

With the outbreak of the Second World War, Stradwick transferred to the Australian Imperial Force for overseas service. On 7 November 1939, he enlisted at Subiaco, WA, as a sapper with the 13th Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers.

He was medically classified as Fit for Class I service and took the Oath of Enlistment in Subiaco on 7 November 1939.

Early Service and Training

8 Nov 1939: Taken on strength at Northam Army Camp, WA.
Dec 1939 – Jan 1940: Underwent initial training and preparation for embarkation.
30 Dec 1939 – 1 Jan 1940: Hospitalised at Newcastle for influenza; discharged after recovery.
March 1940: Granted pre-embarkation leave.


Embarkation and Middle East Service

20 Apr 1940: Embarked from Fremantle aboard HMT Y3 bound for the Middle East.
13 Dec 1940: Disembarked at Kantara, Egypt, joining AIF forces in the Western Desert.
Served in Palestine, Egypt, and other Middle East theatres as part of the 6th Division Engineers.


Hospitalisations and Medical Incidents

Arthur Stradwick's Middle East service was punctuated by a number of hospital admissions:

Aug 1940 – 1941: Multiple hospitalisations in Palestine and Egypt for medical issues including gastritis, dyspepsia, and minor injuries.
26 Jan 1941: Evacuated to 2/1 Australian General Hospital, Egypt.
13 Apr 1941 – 20 May 1941: Further hospitalisation for ongoing stomach ailments.
Aug – Sept 1941: Transferred through various medical units, including 7 Australian General Hospital.
Despite these medical setbacks, he returned to duty after each recovery.


Provost Corps Service

By late 1941, Stradwick was posted to the Australian Army Provost Corps (AAPC) — the military police arm of the AIF. His duties shifted from engineering work to law enforcement, discipline, and administrative policing within the army.



27 Dec 1941: Transferred to 1 Australian Depot Battalion.
14 Jan 1942: Posted to the AAPC.
Feb 1942: Evacuated from the Middle East due to illness, returning to Australia.
March 1942: Disembarked and resumed duty in Australia.


Promotions and Later Service

27 Jul 1942: Promoted to Acting Sergeant.
21 Sep 1942: Confirmed as Sergeant.
Served in administrative and provost duties in Australia.
Periodically attached to records offices and headquarters units.


Final Medical Classification and Discharge

By 1944, Arthur Stradwick's health began to decline, with diagnoses of anxiety neurosis and bronchitis. He was assessed as:

Class B2: Fit for limited service.
Class D: Permanently unfit for operational service outside Australia or in hot, humid climates.


On 31 January 1945, a Medical Board confirmed his unfitness for further active service.

He was honourably discharged on 25 February 1945 with the rank of Sergeant, Australian Army Provost Corps.



Later Life

After the war, Arthur and Irene settled in South Australia.



Death and Burial

Arthur Vernon Stradwick died on 9 June 1969 at Clearview, South Australia, aged 53. He was buried at Enfield Memorial Park, Rose Garden Memorial Sites, Bed CRB, Site 5. His wife, Irene Ethel Campbell Stradwick, survived him by many years, passing away on 20 February 2014 at the age of 94, and is interred with him.



Summary of Service

Militia Enlistment: 1 Feb 1939 – 13th Field Company Engineers
AIF Enlistment: 7 Nov 1939 – 13th Field Company, RAE
Middle East Service: 1940–1942 (Egypt, Palestine, Western Desert)
Provost Corps Service: 1941–1945
Promotions: Private → Corporal → Sergeant
Final Rank: Sergeant
Discharge: 25 Feb 1945 – Medically unfit


Sources

National Archives of Australia – Service Record, Arthur Vernon Stradwick, WX1219
Australian War Memorial – Unit Histories & Contextual References
Enfield Memorial Park burial register


Biography by Trevor Pyatt - 6/08/2025