Leone Fabre shares the story of Arthur Joseph Weir.

Arthur Joseph Weir was born in Winiam in Victoria, near Nhill, on 6 February 1889 to Robert Weir and Louisa Westendorf. Two of Robert and Louisa’s eight children were listed as being killed in action in World War One.

Arthur enlisted in Melbourne on 15 June 1915 at the age of 26. He was granted the service number of 358. He was added to the 29th Battalion, which was raised as part of the 8th Brigade at Broadmeadows Camp in Victoria on 10 August 1915.

Many men enlisted in the 29th Battalion as part of the recruitment drive that followed the landing at Gallipoli – having seen the casualty lists, many of these men offered themselves in full knowledge of their potential fate.

On 5 November 1915, Arthur’s Battalion proceeded by three special trains to Melbourne, where the Battalion marched through the main streets. His Excellency the Governor of Victoria and the Minister of Defence inspected the troops as they saluted on the steps of Parliament House.

On 19 November 1915, Arthur departed for the Middle East on board the HMAT Ascanius. While at sea, the troops continued their training. Arthur was charged with the crime of gambling along with some other soldiers and was cautioned. 

The HMAT Ascanius arrived at Port Suez in Egypt on 7 December 1915. While Arthur was in the Middle East, his brother, Frederick William Weir, enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Horsham.

Arthur was bound for France on 14 June 1916 on board the troopship HMAT Tunisian. One week later, he arrived at Marseilles and was transported to

Hazebrouk with the rest of the 29th Battalion. By 10 July 1916, the Battalion was in Bois-Granier, northern France, known as the ‘nursery’, because it was used to introduce new troops to trench warfare.

The Battle of Fromelles took place from 19 to 20 July 1916. The 29th Battalion took part in an attack against the Germans on low-lying ground. Arthur was among the 5,533 Australian casualties, and was reported as killed in action on 19 July 1916. His remains were not found or identified until March 2010. He is now remembered at Fromelles Military Cemetery.