Military History

Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Ascanius’ A11 for Egypt 2.11.1914.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 11th Infantry Battalion. ‘C’ Coy. AIF.
Mapstone disembarked in Egypt with his Bn. After a brief training period he was transported to Alexandria and embarked with MEF for the Dardanelles, per HMT ‘Suffolk’ 2.3.1915. The 3rd Brigade was the first Australian company that went ashore at Gallipoli, disembarking from land boats at 4.30 am 25.4.1915, and formed the covering force for the landing at Gallipoli. Mapstone was wounded in the landing period, receiving a GSW to his thigh 25.4.1915. He was transferred by HS to Mudros and then sent to Alexandria , where he was admitted to hospital at Ras-el-Tin Hospital, 2.5.1915. He embarked for England as an invalid 3.5.1915 and was admitted to the No 1 Southern General Hospital, Dudley Rd. Birmingham 16.5.1915. (West Australian Newspaper reported him wounded 19.5.1915) Following. recovery and discharge from hospital, he marched out to Perham Downs, Weymouth 16.12.16. Mapstone marched in to his new training Bn. at No.7 Camp Army Details 18.5.1917. After 2 months of intensive training, he proceeded overseas to France, via the Training Depot Southampton 9.7.1917. Mapstone joined 1st Australian Divisional Base Depot (ADBD)at Havre, France 10.7.1917. He joined the 11th Bn. and was taken on strength in the Field 29.7.1917. The 11th Bn. fought at Bullecourt and the Third Battle of Ypres including at Menin Road and Polygon Wood (AWM 11th Bn). Mapstone was wounded in action in most probably near Menin Road, Belgium with a GSW right thigh (bullet near neck of femur) 20.9.17. He was assisted by the 6th Australian Field Ambulance 20.9.1917, transferred to 17th Casualty Clearing Station 20.9.1917 and to HS ‘St David’ as invalid for transport to England. Mapstone was admitted to the Military Hospital at Eastbourne, England 22.9.1917. He was transferred to the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital at Dartmouth 9.11.1917 and granted furlough 23.11.1917 (West Australian Newspapers Reported wounded 2nd time 19.10.1917). Mapstone reported to the Depot Sutton Veny and marched in to the Overseas Training Bn. at Longbridge 25.11.17. He was reported sick to Sutton Veny Hospital with problems to his bullet wound in his thigh. X rays revealed the bullet was still present and it was removed with a further operation 16.12.1917. He marched out to Overseas Training Bde 7.2.1918 and proceeded Overseas to France ex Longbridge Deverill 4.3.18. He rejoined the 11th Bn. and was taken on strength in the Field in France 9.3.1918. He returned to hospital with further problems with the bullet is his left thigh 5.7.1919. Mapstone was listed for early return to Australia as am invalid 24.9.1918.
Embarked Taranto per ‘Kasura Hind’ for Suez 24.9.1918. Transferred to HT ‘Devon’ at Suez.
Returned/Disembarked 17.11.1918
Discharged 13.1.1919.
Final Rank Private 11th, Bn 3rd Infantry Bde. AIF.
Medical Condition NK.
Awards and Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes Married Hilda Tanner 5.8.1915, Address Eldon House Long Ashton, Bristol, England. His Father’s and home address was located at Beechboro WA (Wises POD: Poultry farmers Beechboro nr. Guildford WA)
Photos  Landing at Gallipoli on the morning of 25.4.1915. Photographer A. Joyner, photograph source AWM P00035.001
              Menin Road. Soldiers marching to the front 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E04649
              3rd Auxilliary Hospital Dartford. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM C0504
              HMAT 'Ascanius' 1914. Photographer E.L. Mitchell, photograph source AWM H16157

Information Source
AWM P00035.001 Landing at Gallipoli on the morning of 25.4.1915. Photographer A. Joyner, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E04649. Menin Road. Soldiers marching to the front 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM C0504. 3rd Auxilliary Hospital Dartford. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H16157. HMAT 'Ascanius' 1914. Photographer E.L. Mitchell, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll- Arthur William Mapstone
AWM 11th Bn.
NAA: B2455, Mapstone Arthur William
West Australian Newspaper
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA


Benara Road, Beechboro, near Guildford, WA.

 

 

Associated Images