DOUGLAS, Arthur

Arthur Douglas was 41 years old when he enlisted. He was a married man and named as his next of kin his wife, Maria Ethel, known as Maud. He was born in Glasgow in 1876, but in 1917 when he enlisted, was at 40 Albert St., East Melbourne and then at 453 George St., Fitzroy. He was 5' 9" in height, with blue eyes and brown hair and a tattoo on his left arm. Most interesting was his occupation: Vaudeville Artist.

He was very well known in Victoria, both in Melbourne, where he had appeared in acting roles at at least one of the major theatres, and in the country, where he did a major tour with his own theatrical troup in the latter half of 1916. He had performed in Geelong, Kyabram, Nhill, Ararat and St. Arnaud. The Ararat Advertiser reported that

'The well known Scottish comedian and entertainer, Arthur Douglas, appeared at the Town Hall last night before a good audience. He quickly became popular with his songs and character sketches.'

In the Cobram Courier, he was described as 'a well known illusionist' while the Geelong Time spoke of a burst of applaue following Douglas's rendition of a song he had written called 'The Heroes of Lonesome Pine'. he must have done this circuit reasonable often, because the Warraknabeal Herald of 20 October 1916 spoke of him being 'well-known in warraknabeal'. 

He joined up on 23 August, 1917 and was sent for training to Broadmeadows. From here, he was attached to the 20th Reinforcements of the 23rd Battalion and embarked for Egypt on HMAT Nestor A71 on 21 November, 1917.

The reinforcements disembarked on 15 December and were sent to Gattary Australian Camp, Suez, for a further three weeks training. From Egypt, they embarked on HMT Abissineah on 8 January, 1918, disembarking at Taranto on 13 January, then Southampton on 23 January. From Southampton, they went into camp at Fovant, marching in on 25 January, then departing for France from Folkestone on 29 April, 1918. Arthur Douglas was finally taken on strength at the front on 7 May, 1918.

He must have gone immediately into battle, because on 20 May, he was wounded in action, with a shell wound to the head. He was first admitted to the 5th Australian Field Ambulance, then to the 7th Canadian General Hospital, Etaples, before being sent on to the No.6 Convalescent Depot, also at Etaples. On 18 July, he marched in from Havre and rejoined his battalion. 

With the war ending on 11 November, 1918, the massive task of withdrawal, repair and repatriation began. Arthur Douglas did not leave for England until 18 April, 1919. Once there, he was given leave, wuth a note on his record saying 'pay only, because employed'. The employement was in a theatrical troupe, organised by Lieutenant E. Warrington of the 23rd Battalion, who now becamse 'Manager and Proprietor of the Australian Entertainers Concert Party'. it is not clear whom they entertained, but probably Australian servicemen waiting for their transfer back home. 

Arthur Douglas left for Australia on board the Koningen Luise on 18 October, 1919. On 31 October, he was transferred out of the 23rd Battalion  and disembarked at Melbourne on 4 February, 1920. he was finally discharged form further service on 5 March, 1920. 

It is difficult to trace Arthur Douglas in the post war period. Neither he nor his wife would seem to be on the Electoral Rolls. A death certificate from 1952 for an Arthur Douglas, living in Parkville, may be the same man. The date of birth is given as 1875, near enough to 1976, but there is no toher information.