Veteran Story: Arthur Andrews, born in 1880, was one of six sons of James Andrews and Rachel Claydon, a Budawang woman. He was assigned to the 8th Reinforcements for the 15th Infantry Battalion and trained at Green Hills and Frasers Camps, Enoggera, Queensland, before departing overseas. In 1915, while in camp, his commanding officer considered discharging him due to disciplinary issues, but Andrews remained with 'A' Company and embarked for Egypt in August aboard HMAT Kyarra.
When the reinforcements arrived in Egypt, the Gallipoli campaign had largely ended, and battalions were re-organised for service in France. Arthur left from Alexandria for France in June 1916, arriving at Marseilles after several days. While travelling by train to northern France, he was injured after being knocked from the carriage while attending to an animal; the train passed over his left leg, resulting in severe injury. He was transported to the 2nd Australian General Hospital, Moussot, where his leg was amputated following complications.
Two months later, Arthur was moved to the Beaufort Military Hospital in London, where he spent several months recovering. During this period, he met Esther May Beesley of Dorking, Surrey, and they married in Uxbridge in March 1917. Arthur was repatriated to Australia in May 1917 and spent extended time at the 4th AGH Repatriation Hospital, Randwick. An application was made for free passage for his wife, Esther, and children, Alexander (Alec) and Phyllis.
Records indicate that Esther May Andrews, Alec, and Phyllis emigrated to Australia in February 1919, residing first in Rockhampton and later in Mt Morgan. In 1920, Arthur applied for and was accepted for 'Home Service' at 4 AGH Randwick, serving for more than a year until staffing numbers were reduced. After this period, little information is available about Arthur, and his death was reported in 1929 at Heath Street, Ryde, NSW.
Following Arthur's death, Esther married William Alfred Damke and continued to live in Mt Morgan until her own death in 1959. Her son, Alex Beesley, enlisted in the RAAF in 1940 and, while serving as an Air-Gunner with 103 Squadron, was killed in September 1942 when his aircraft was shot down over Bremen, Germany.
Arthur's two brothers, Thomas Leslie – 2124 and Walter Ernest Andrews - also served.
