| Regimental number | 4975 |
| Place of birth | Wallaroo Mines, South Australia |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Occupation | Civil engineer |
| Address | Prospect, South Australia |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 23 |
| Height | 5' 10" |
| Weight | 146 lbs |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs Bessie Opie, Azalea Street, Prospect, South Australia |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 27th Battalion, 13th Reinforcement |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board A45 Bulla on |
| Regimental number from Nominal Roll | Commissioned |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Lieutenant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 32nd Battalion |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Cross Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Nicholas and Bessie OPIE |
| Medals |
Military Cross 'During the period 29th September - 1st October 1918, in the operations against the enemy positions near Bellicourt, he showed great curage and initiative. He led his men forward with great dash, killing several of the enemy and putting their guns out of action. During the whole of the operations he continued to lead his men courageously and skilfully under heavy fire.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 10 Date: |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Embarked Adelaide, 24 June 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 24 August 1916. Proceeded overseas to France, 29 September 1916; marched into 2nd Australian Divisional Base Depot, Etaples, 1 October 1916. Reverts to the rank of Private, 2 October 1916. Promoted Acting Sergeant with pay, 4 October 1916. Transferred to 32nd Bn, 13 October 1916; taken on strength of 32nd Bn, 15 October 1916, and reverts to the rank of Private. Promoted Temporary Corporal, 19 October 1916. Evacuated to hospital and relinquishes rank of Temporary Corporal on evacuation, 2 December 1916; admitted to No 5 Field Ambulance, 2 December 1916 (trench foot); transferred to No 8 General Hospital, Rouen, 5 December 1916; to England, 7 December 1916; to No 1 London General Hospital, Camberwell, 8 December 1916; discharged to furlough, 13 February 1917. Marched into No 1 Command Depot, Perham Downs, 1 March 1917 (Class B.1.A). Marched into No 4 Command Depot, Wareham, 9 March 1917. Marched out of No 4 Command Depot, 14 March 1917; attached to Headquarters, No 3 Command Depot, Hurdcott, 22 March 1917. Reclassified B.1.A.4, 30 May 1917. Reclassified B.1.A.3, 8 June 1917. On Command at No 3 School of Instruction, Tidworth Barracks, 20 August 1917. Qualified at No 2 Officer Cadet Bn, 2 March 1918, and retains appointment of cadet until commissioned. Marched into 1st Training Bn for temporary duty with Permanent Cadre, Sutton Veny, 13 March 1918, and promoted Temporary Sergeant the same day. Detached from duty with 1st Training Bn, 1 April 1918, and promoted Second Lieutenant the same day. Proceeded overseas to France, 29 April 1918; marched into Australian Intermediate Base Depot, Le Havre, 1 May 1918. Marched out to unit, 4 May 1918; taken on strength of 32nd Bn, 6 May 1918. Detached to Australian Corps Gas School, 13 July 1918; rejoined unit, 20 July 1918. Promoted Lieutenant, 18 August 1918. On leave to England, 6 October 1918. Admitted to Cobham Hall, England, 28 October 1918 (not yet diagnosed); discharged, 14 November 1918; marched into No 1 Command Depot, 15 November 1918. Awarded Military Cross, 29 November 1918. Granted leave of absence with pay and subs, 27 January to 27 July 1919 (Non-Military Employment: to undergo a course in architecture at the Architechture Association, Bedford Square, London). Attached to 30 Bn from 32 Bn while in hospital, 12 March 1919. Granted extension to leave of absence until 16 August 1919, so that a course on architecture could be attended. Granted extension to leave of absence until 3 September 1919, so that study in architecture of Rome and Venice could be undertaken. Marched into No 2 Group, Sutton Veny, 18 September 1919. Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Nestor', 1 November 1919; disembarked, 12 December 1919; appointment terminated, 4 February 1920. Medals: Military Cross, British War Medal, Victory Medal. Death attributed to war service. |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 42 |
| Place of burial | West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, OPIE Arnold Mostyn |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
