Arthur McVeigh

Arthur McVeigh

Personal Information
Date of Birth	4 Apr 1917
Place of Birth	Southern Cross, Western Australia
Death	23 Jul 2005, aged 88
Place of Death	Armadale, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	25 years, 7 months
Description	5'9½" (1.77m) tall ; ; medium complexion ; brown eyes ; black hair ; scars on left hand, right arm and back
Occupation	Labourer
Religion	Roman Catholic
Address	Rundell street, Kelmscott, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father , Mr. Thomas William McVeigh
Military Information
Reg Number	W20998 & WX35151
Date of Enlistment	14 Nov 1942
Rank	Signalman
Unit/Formation	24th Australian Line Section
Post War Details
Fate	Returned to Australia
Medals	1939-45 Star Pacific Star Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45

War Service

Arthur enlisted in the CMF on 10 Sep 1941 and was allocated to the 16th Australian Infantry Battalion (Cameron Highlanders Regiment) before being called up for full time service on 24 Dec 1941. From 23 Jun 1942 until 4 Aug 1942 Arthur was detached to the HQ 13th Australian Infantry Brigade, and he was transferred to them on 5 Aug 1942. On 14 Nov 1942 Arthur transferred to the 2nd AIF and on 24 Jan 1943 he was transferred to the 4th Australian Infantry Division Signals Company, attached to the 13th Australian Infantry Brigade. On 14 Feb 1943 he was transferred to the 13th Australian Infantry Brigade Signals Section, and two days later entrained in Perth for Adelaide. He arrived in Adelaide on 22 Feb 1943, and departed for Darwin on 1 Mar 1943.

On 3 Aug 1944 Arthur was graded as a Trade Group 3 Driver Mechanic. On 16 Oct 1944 he was evacuated to the 107th Australian General Hospital with a suspected fractured pelvis, shock and abrasions. On 4 Nov 1944 he was transferred to the 101st Australian General Hospital with the addition of a fractured, dislocated right wrist. Following treatment he was transferred on 20 Nov 1944 to the 74th Australian Camp Hospital. They in turn passed him to the 105th Australian Military Hospital on 23 Nov 1944. On 15 Jan 1945 Arthur had recovered enough to be released into the care of the 111th Australian Convalescent Depot. However, on 19 Feb 1945 he was returned to the 105th Australian Military Hospital.

On 24 Feb 1945 Arthur was released to the South Australian Line of Communication Area Recruit Reception & General Duties Depot where his medical condition was reassessed as B1 (Fractured pelvis - Fracture, Dislocation right wrist - unfit for duties entailing strenuous use of right arm). On 2 May 1945 he was transferred to the 5th Advanced Reinforcement Depot. On 5 Jun 1945 at Brisbane, Arthur embarked on HMT Duntroon for Lae, New Guinea, disembarking there on 13 Jun 1945. On 20 Jun 1945 he was posted to the 19th Line of Communication Signals who the same day posted him to the 24th Australian Line Section.

On 10 Jul 1945 Arthur was admitted to the 2/1st Australian Field Ambulance, and on the next day they transferred him to the 2/11th Australian General Hospital with balanitis, returning to his unit on 31 Jul 1945. On 19 Oct 1945 Arthur was transferred to the 2/3rd Australian Operating Section before being transferred again on 17 Jan 1946 to the 7th Australian Engineer Signals Section. On 9 Mar 1946 he was transferred to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot and the same day embarked on SS Georgetown Victory for Sydney where he disembarked on 14 Mar 1946. He was discharged in Western Australia on 2 Apr 1946.

Post War

Arthur worked for the Western Australian Government Railways as a labourer (Service No. X51237) at Mundijong from 5 Mar to 17 May 1963.

Electoral Roll entries: 1943 Railway avenue Armadale, labourer; 1949 Ninth avenue, Armadale, no occupation; 1954 William street, Armadale; 1958 Weld street, Forrestdale, labourer; 1968 at 68 Doolette street, Hamilton Heights, plant operator; 1972 at 22 Blay road, Calista, plant operator; 1977 - 1980 at Weld street, Forrestdale, labourer;