The AIF Project

Arthur Frederick SCHMIDT

Regimental number313
Date of birth30 December 1899
Place of birthWalla Walla, New South Wales
SchoolWalla Walla Public School, New South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationLabourer
AddressWalla Walla, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation19
Height5' 6"
Weight142 lbs
Next of kinGrandmother, Hilda Agatha Hoffman, Walla Walla, New South Wales
Enlistment date5 February 1915
Place of enlistmentLiverpool, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name18th Battalion, A Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/35/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board Transport A40 Ceramic on 25 June 1915
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll18th Battalion
FateDied of wounds 7 April 1918
Place of death or woundingVillers-Bretonneux, France
Age at death22.2
Age at death from cemetery records22
Place of burialBeacon Cemetery (Plot IV, Row E, Grave 6) Sailly-Laurette, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
87
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Commemorated in Walla Walla Cemetery, New South Wales. Photo: Peter Dennis. Parents: Carl and Adeline (b. 23 March 1872; d. 16 March 1897; bu. Walla Walla Cemetery) SCHMIDT of Walla Walla. His mother died when he was 1 year old and his father deserted him, so he was raised by his Grandmother, Mrs H.A. Hoffmann.
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Proceeded to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 16 August 1915.

Admitted to hospital 24 September 1915 (septic knee); transferred to Hospital Ship, 26 September 1915, invalided to England on board HS 'Grampian', 28 September 1915; admitted to 2nd Southern General Hospital, Southmead Section, 11 October 1915.

Proceeded to join the British Expeditionary Force with 33rd Draft, Weymouth, 29 May 1916.

Rejoined unit from details, France, 1 August 1916.

Wounded in action 7 April 1918 (multiple shell wounds); admitted to 7th Australian Field Ambulance; died of wounds received in action, 13 April 1918.

Statement, Red Cross File No 2420903K, 58 Sergeant R. BROADBRIDGE, Headquarters, 18th Bn (patient, 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, England), 26 June 1918: 'He was an Observer. I did not see the casualty, but he was hit by a shell and had one of his legs blown off. This took place at Villers-Bretonneux, and he lived about 4 hours, and was conscious when taken to [a] dressing station nearby. Casualty happened in early morning on 8-4-18. I knew him well, and he came from Victoria. I buried him on 9-4-18 in a cemetery near Amiens, on the field. Grave was marked by a Cross, bearing full details. I was Pioneer Sgt.'

Second statement, 1929 Lance Sergeant J.E. GILLETT, 7th Field Ambulance (patient, 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, England), 26 June 1918: 'I saw his grave at Hqts. 7th Fld. Amb., about 4 miles from Amiens. Grave was marked by a Cross and full details marked thereon. He died at the 7th Fld. Amb. Hqts.'

Third statement, Lt W.A. TEMPLE, 18th Bn (patient, 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, England), 28 June 1918: 'I knew Schmidt he was hit by a shell, one leg was badly smashed as well as other wounds, on April 7th at Villers Bretonneux at 5th C.C.S. on Amiens Rd. The grave has a cross on it.'

Fourth statement, 5373 Pte J.E. MURREY, HQ Company, 18th Bn (patient, Southwark Military Hospital, England), 13 July 1918: 'I knew Schmidt quite well. He was wounded at Villers Brettoneux (sic). He was billeted in a Chateau House. He went outside when a shell fell about 3 yards from him, breaking both his legs. He was carried inside where his wounds were dressed and he was then taken to the aid post where he died the same afternoon. He was a very bright good tempered chap and was quite cheery till the end. He was buried at the 7 Field Ambulance near the Amiens Rd. It was morning time.'

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

His personal effects were among those lost when the SS 'Barunga' was lost at sea as a result of enemy action.
Miscellaneous detailsSecond given name of next of kin incorrectly entered on Embarkation Roll as Augusta.
SourcesNAA: B2455, SCHMIDT Arthur Frederick
Red Cross File No 2420903K

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