Name
Charles Arblaster
21 February 1895
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
24/07/1916
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Captain
Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
53rd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
DOUAI COMMUNAL CEMETERY
D. 6.
France
Headstone Inscription
FROM ROYAL MILITARY COLLEGE DUNTROON, AUSTRALIA DIED FOR LIBERTY
UK & Other Memorials
Digswell House Australian Hospital Memorial, St John's Church, Digswell
Pre War
Charles Arblaster was born on 21 February 1895 in Pennyroyal, Victoria, the son of Charles and Elizabeth Arblaster. The family lived at 7 Errol Street, Footscray, Victoria.
Wartime Service
He enlisted on 3 November 1914, as Lieutenant in the 8th Light Horse Regiment, Machine Gun Section, having served 3 years at the Royal Military College, Duntroon. Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board TRANSPORT A16 Star Of Victoria on 25 February 1915.
Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 11 May 1915. Admitted to hospital, 17 July 1915 (influenza); returned to duty, 22 July 1915.
Promoted Temporary Captain, 7 August 1915. Wounded in action, 26 September 1915 (bullet wound, foot), transferred to England via Malta. Rejoined Mediterranean Expeditionary Force 16 February 1916. Appointed Captain, 12 March 1916. Joined BEF 28 June 1916.
Reported killed in action, Fromelles, 19 July 1916. Subsequently reported as died of disease (septicaemia), Gefangen Lager St Clotilde, Douai, 24 July 1916, while a prisoner of war.
Additional Information
His father, Mr C A Arblaster of 7 Errol St, Footseray, Victoria, Australia, ordered his headstone inscription: “FROM ROYAL MILITARY COLLEGE DUNTROON, AUSTRALIA DIED FOR LIBERTY” aif.adfa.edu.au
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
www.aif.adfa.edu.au
