The AIF Project

Frank Thomas ARKINSTALL

Regimental number701
Place of birthInverell, New South Wales
Other NamesArkinstall, Thomas Frank
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationPlumber
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation28
Height5' 8"
Weight168 lbs
Next of kinFather, G H Arkinstall, Gleninnes Road, Inverell, New South Wales
Enlistment date7 September 1914
Place of enlistmentSydney, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentSapper
Unit name1st Field Company Engineers, Reinforcement 1
AWM Embarkation Roll number14/20/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A35 Berrima on 22 December 1914
Regimental number from Nominal RollCommissioned
Rank from Nominal RollLieutenant
Unit from Nominal Roll4th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 19 February 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'At Le BARQUE on the night of 24/25th February, 1917, Cpl. ARKINSTALL did valuable work in exploring a large and unknown portion of newly evacuated enemy territory, for the location of communicatiion trenches and other new works. Early on the 25th, he took charge of a working party, and after having started them on works he remained by them until they were dismissed. Despite the fact that he was under extremely heavy shell fire, and that the place was continually swept by machine gun fire, he remained upon the work, in order to start the new working party when it arrived. Altogether he spent 20 continuous hours, out in the newly occupied territory, under heavy fire, without food or rest of any kind.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 133
Date: 21 August 1917

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