Leone Fabre shares the story of her family member, Arthur Geraldton Higgs.

Arthur Geraldton Higgs was born in Armadale, Victoria on 6 October 1894 to John Thomas Higgs and Sarah Ann Norman. Arthur first enlisted at Drouin in December 1914, but after training with the 13th Light Horse Regiment he was discharged as medically unfit in May 1915.

In July 1915, Arthur re-enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in Perth, Western Australia, and was allocated to the 11th Battalion, 9th Reinforcements, and was given the service number of 2778.

Arthur was described as being 24 years old, 5.11 feet tall and weighed 184 lbs. He had a fair complexion, blue eyes and auburn hair. He had a scar on his right thumb and his occupation was a farmer.

He was declared fir for active service at his medical examination on 28 September 1915 at Blackboy Hill in Perth. This meant he could go to Europe to follow his brother, Harold Henry Higgs, who had enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in August 1914.

On 1 October 1915, Arthur embarked on the HMAT Hororata at Freemantle, Western Australia. He arrived at Alexandria on 5 January 1916, onboard the RMS Empress of Britain.

He was appointed Lance Corporal on 15 March 1916, and sailed for Marseilles on 30 March of the same year.

By 19 July 1916, Arthur’s Battalion moved to the firing line at Pozieres and took over from one company of the Durham Light Infantry. On 22 July 1916, the 11th Battalion attacked the enemy before Pozieres, in co-operation with the 9th Battalion and the 1st Australian Infantry Brigade, and supported by the 12th Battalion.

The following report describes the situation at Pozieres:

For three days, the Germans relentlessly bombarded Pozières. The aim of this concentrated shelling was not simply to prepare for a counter-attack but to inflict as much damage and loss on the Australians as possible. Also shelled were the approaches to the village, by which vital supplies entered and hundreds of walking wounded and stretcher–bearers carrying the severely injured exited.

Most of the men from the 11th Battalion who died under the German bombardment of Pozieres were never found. Their names are commemorated on the walls of the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux.

Arthur was killed in action sometime between the 22 and 25 July 1916, and was one of the 48 men of the 11th Battalion who was never found.