The AIF Project

Arthur Mervyn BASSINGTHWAIGHTE

Regimental number6030
Date of birth26 April 1897
Place of birthChinchilla, Queensland
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationFarmer
AddressChinchilla, Queensland
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation23
Next of kinMother, Mrs Minnie Bassingthwaigthe, Chinchilla, Queensland
Enlistment date22 July 1916
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name25th Battalion, 17th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/42/5
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A75 Marathon on 27 October 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll1st Division Train
FateReturned to Australia 4 July 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'At WESTHOEK RIDGE 20th September 1917. for conspicuous gallantry when in company with Lance Corporal COWIE he encountered an enemy concrete machine gun post which was harrassisng our advance by its fire - he bombed the machine gun, killing the crew and taking the remainder of the post prisoners. Later he assisted in putting forward a Lewis Gun post and maintaining his post for thirty hours until relieved, despite heavy enemy shell fire.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31
Date: 7 March 1918

Family/military connectionsSecond Cousin: Private Roy Shiel BASSINGTHWAIGHTE, Regimental No. 1880, 55th Battalion, returned to Australia 22 July 1917; Second Cousin: Driver Oscar John RIDGE, Regimental No. 1694, 1st Field Ambulance, returned to Australia 8 May 1919; Second Cousin: Lieutenant Paul Jerome TIMMINS, Regimental No. 3891, 20th Battalion, returned to Australia 22 August 1918; Second Cousin: Private Richard Vincent PALMER, Regimental No. 3597, 4th Battalion, killed in action 22 September 1917
Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Was awarded the Military Medal at Westhoek Ridge on 20 September 1917 for conspicuous gallantry during part of the Battle of Passchendaele.

Stayed on in France after the end of the war in a mopping up force serving with mule teams.

Date of death19 June 1951
Place of burialKingaroy Cemetery, Queensland

Print format    


© The AIF Project 2024, UNSW Canberra. Not to be reproduced without permission.