Arthur McConnell
Stephen LearmonthArthur was born in Wodonga in 1894, the second of four children to John Patrick and Kate (née Barker) McConnell. Unfortunately, Kate passed away when Arthur was only fifteen. John was left to raise four children aged eight nineteen. All of the McConnell children would attend the Bonegilla State School No. 1749.
On the 20th of December 1915, whilst ANZAC forces were being withdrawn from Gallipoli, Arthur enlisted at Bendigo, Victoria. He listed his occupation as farmer, as the family had moved to the Kerang area after his mother’s death. He was allocated the Regimental Number 5140 and placed in the 16th Reinforcements for the 7th Battalion.
After spending two months with the Depot Battalion in Bendigo, he was transferred to the Broadmeadows Camp on the 10th of March, 1916. His unit embarked on HMAT A23 Suffolk at Melbourne on the 1st of April, 1916, and arrived at Suez on the 12th of May. Two weeks later he was admitted to the 3rd Australian General Hospital suffering from mild lumbago. While this stay was short, he was back in hospital on the 19th of July with measles.
Arthur embarked on the Megantic at Alexandria on the 6th of August and arrived in England sometime later. After spending time in England training he proceeded overseas to France, arriving at the 4th Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples on the 24th of September. Three weeks later he was posted to the 59th Battalion.
After the trials and tribulations of 1917 he was detached from the battalion to the 2nd Army Summer Rest Camp just north of Le Havre along the French coast. Two weeks later he rejoined his battalion. Arthur received a two week furlough to the United Kingdom on the 13th of September of 1917. It’s not known where he went and what he did but, like most Australians on furlough in the UK, would have enjoyed his time there. He rejoined the battalion on the 25th of September, 1917, in time for the battalion’s major battle at Polygon Wood. Following this, the 59th fought at Poelcappelle on the 9th of October, and then participated in the Third Battle of Ypres also known as Passchendale.
As a result of Arthur’s actions during the fighting between the 15th and 18th of October, he was recommended fot the Military Medal. This was changed to a “Mention in Despatches”. The written recommendation stated the following.
“On Broodseinde Ridge
As Battalion runner during the recent tour of duty this man showed a great spirit of self sacrifice and gallantry, cheerfully carrying despatches though heavy enemy barrage. He conducted a stretcher bearer party which had been urgently called for from the Reserve Company forward to the front line through a heavy barrage, and guided them bacl to R.A.P. with the patient. He has always been untiring and energetic in his work and has frequently guided ration and working parties to and from the front line.”
Private H.R. King (3531) of the 59th Battalion witnessed what happened to Arthur on October the 27th.
“I knew casualty. He was a tall man, about 5ft. 8ins. Well built, dark complexion, about 25 years of age, known as “Mac”. Casualty was in support lines at Ypres. He was in his dug-out, and I was in the same dug-out waiting to be relieved. He had his equipment on when an H.E. shell exploded in the door-way of the dug-out mortally wounding casualty and wounding myself. He died half an hour later in the dug-out. He had a most severe wound in the head. I do not know where he was buried but I was told he was buried where he fell.”
The 32rd of November, 1917, edition of the Wodonga and Towong Sentinel illustrated the impact that the war was having on small, rural communities.
“For the third time within fortnight the Bonegilla school flag was flying at half-mast on Tuesday, news having been received that Private Arthur McConnell had been killed in action. Private McConnell was the second son of Mr. J.P. McConnell of Goroke, and formerly of Bonegilla. He was born at Bonegilla23 years ago and resided there up till five years ago, when the family moved to Goroke. Arthur was an industrious lad, well liked by everyone who knew him. He enlisted about two years ago.”
The McConnell family suffered greatly during the war of 1914 to 1918, with Arthur’s brother, James, and two cousins also being killed in action.
Arthur has no known grave. He is remembered on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, Flanders, Belgium, and the Bonegilla State School Honour Roll. For his service during the First World War, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
