Military History

Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Themistocles’ A32 for Egypt 13.10.1915.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 3rd Infantry Brigade Australian Imperial Force 11th Battalion. 10th Reinforcements.
King disembarked with the 10th Reinforcements 11th Battalion in Egypt. He marched in to his Unit at Tel-el-Kebir 7.1.1916. He was admitted to hospital at Abbassia with Mumps 30.12.1915, discharged on 19.1.1916 and rejoined his Battalion. 2.3.1916. He proceeded to Alexandria, joined the British Imperial Force (BEF) and embarked to France 29.3.1916. King disembarked at Marseilles 5.4.1916. He was again admitted to Hospital with Mumps 8.5.1916. He was discharged for duty 29.5.1916 and rejoined his Battalion 31.5.1916. His Battalion saw action at Fleurbaix, then moved up into the Somme, and advanced into Pozieres on 23.7.1916. King was KIA 25.7.1916 at Pozieres, whilst going over a trench, he was hit by a shell (AWM Red Cross File; West Australian Newspaper 25.7.1917). Initially he was reported missing. His body was not recovered. The Court of Enquiry determined he was Killed in Action. He is commemorated at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France.
Final Rank Private, 11th Australian Infantry Battalion.
Medical Condition Deceased, KIA.
Awards and Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes Arthur was one of 3 King brothers, who served in WW1, together with Bertie (SN 3076) and Sydney (SN 1904) who both returned. Arthur was known by name of Leonard rather than Arthur. He enlisted at the same time as his brother Bertie with the 11th Battalion and they held consecutive Service Numbers.
He is not listed on the AWM Roll of Honour.
Photo West Australian Newspapers 5.9.1916 p7
           Swan Express 24.11.1916 p5
           HMAT 'Themistocles' at Fremantle. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM 304038
           4th Auxiliary Hospital Abassia, Cairo- ward interior 1915. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM C03543
           Shell craters at Pozieres 1916. Photographer unknown,  photograph source AWM E00508
           Villers-Bretonneux Australian Memorial, dedicated in 1938. Photographer unknown, photograph source H17454

Information Source
AWM 304038. HMAT 'Themistocles' at Fremantle. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM C03543. 4th Auxiliary Hospital Abassia, Cairo- ward interior 1915. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australia War Memorial
AWM E00508. Shell craters at Pozieres 1916. Photographer unknown,  photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H17454. Villers-Bretonneux Australian Memorial, dedicated in 1938. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Roll of Honour Arthur Leonard King
AWM Red Cross File Arthur Leonard King
Guildford Primary School Honour Roll
Guildford War Memorial
NAA: B2455, King A LSwan Express
West Australian Newspaper
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA

11 Meadow Street, Guildford. WA.

Associated Images