WILTSHIRE Arthur James

Arthur James WIltshire was born in Woolloongabba, Brisbane in 1895. He enlisted at the age of 20 years and one month and spent time in the Citizen Force in Brisbane. It is recorded that at the time of enlistment he was a Baptist of dark complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He was living in Palmwoods with his mother Mrs Maria Wiltshire at the time and was a telephone mechanic - telephones had already been in use in the area for 38 years by then! Arthur worked his way quickly up the ranks (Private 1/12/15 15.12.15, Gunner 15/12/15 - 11/1/16;, Corporal 25/1/16, Sergeant without pay 19.2.16, reverted to gunner 11/2/17 )while in the army and was sent overseas as a sergeant. He left on board the HMAT A67 Orsova which departed from Sydney on 29th July 1916. on 10th Feb 1917 he was sent to France aboard the SS Victoria which departed from Folkestone. On the 6th May he was rested for two weeks due to shell shock, and then returned to the lines. It is recorded this was origin of his disability - noted on 15th August 1917 and he was evacuated from France on 16th August. He spent some time in hospital in Cambridge with the diagnosis " general debility. Shell Shock, Aches and headaches. The Doctor in Charge suggested that the soldier needed " a change to Australia" citing the cause for debility as "Active Service" and with the specific condition " excessive duty at front line".

Arthur Wiltshire returned to Australia on HT Port Darwin which arrived in Brisbane on 11th January 1918. He was again hospitalised in Brisbane on 26th March 1918 and was discharged on 7th April 1918.
The Brisbane Courier reported on Saturday 27th April 1918 that at a ceremony In the Walker Memorial Hall, The Stephens Shire Soldiers Help Society handed certificates and medals to soldiers who had given service to their country. Arthur James was presented with a medal and certificate. The certificates were thus inscribed: "To fight is a just cause, and for our country's glory, is the best office of the best of men" Stephens Shire is a small area south of Woolloongabba which was a separate shire before amalgamation into greater Brisbane. At the ceremony Captain Pike made a strong plea for the maintenance of Queensland's quota. He said he could not understand how any man could resist the pull of comradeship of the AIF - the finest force in the world. He said "We must all sink our differences and pull together if we were to win." Mr WIlliam Worley spoke eloquently of the sacrifices of the Allies and of the dire need for reinforcements. There was at that time a desperate race to find more volunteers to send over to the War.
The Chronicle 15 March 1918, p5 reported on the organising of a welcome home social at Palmwoods for returned soldiers Messrs Livingstone and Wiltshire. Each to be presented with a gold medal suitably inscribed.
The Chronicle 29 March 1918, p5 reported on the welcome home social at Palmwoods for Messrs Livingstone and Wiltshire. The medals they were to be presented with failed to arrive in time for the gathering.

Arthur James Wiltshire died on 27th May 1986 at the age of 91!

Palmwoods and District Roll of Honour, Palmwoods Memorial Hall, Margaret Street, Palmwoods

AIF NAA Trove