About Arthur Hanks
Arthur was born in Lambeth, London, around 1890 to John & Eliza Hanks. He was the second son born to the couple, and attended the London Board School . Arthur arrived in Australia at the age of 19 with his family.
Broome Connection
Arthur’s family settled in Broome, his father John was a dairyman. Arthur worked as a butcher for Edgar & Eacott and also worked as a shell opener aboard the luggers. Arthur was also a member of the Broome Rifle Club. Arthur enlisted from Broome, his medical examination was performed by Dr. A.R. Haynes.
War Service
Arthur enlisted for the war in Broome on the 9th of September 1916, and travelled to Perth to formally enlist at Blackboy Hill Camp on the 31st October 1916. He trained in Perth for 8 weeks, and embarked from Fremantle on the 29th December 1916 on the Persic, and disembarked in Davenport, UK three months later. Once in England, Hanks was assigned to the 39th Battalion, whose men were mostly drawn from general reinforcements. After training the battalion proceeded overseas to France to join the rest of the 39th Battalion at Rouelles in July 1917. Arthur became very ill in December and had an extended hospital stay until early April 1918, when he rejoined his battalion in France. Hanks was killed by enemy aircraft bombing on the 10th September 1918, with ten other of his comrades.
Enlistment Details
Newspaper Articles
Other Online Resources
View Arthur Hanks at the National Archives of Australia
View Arthur Hanks at the Australian War Memorial