POLSON, Arthur Ernest

Arthur Ernest Polson was the the son of Karl Olaf (Charles) Polson and his wife, Selma Maria Francisca Inga Anderson. He waas born in 1893 and enlisted for the First World War on 16 July, 1915. He was then aged 22 years and 3 months and was working as a storekeeper. He was single, but on 22 December 1915 married Edith Alice Pratt at St Peter's Eastern Hill. He was a tall man, 5' 11' in height and was placed in the Australian Medical Corps, training at Royal Park with the 23rd Depot Battalion, then at Broadmeadows from 25 September to 9 October, 1915.  

He embarked for the war on at Melbourne on 25 September, 1916, on the troopship Shropshire, disembarking at Plymouth on 11 November, 1916.  On 21 April, 1917, he was placed at the 3rd Australian General Hospital for a week, before marching out to Wareham on 28 April. From here, he was sent to Parkhouse for Australian Medical Corps training at Depot No. 2., then overseas to France form Southampton on 14 Jiune, 1917. 

Arthur Polson was landed at Rouelles and marched out to join the Third Division Australian Medical Corps in the field on 30 June, 1917 and  taken on strength from the Reinforcements.  He had only one month of active service before he was killed in action on 10 July, 1917, in the interval between the Battle of Messines in June, 1917, and the Third Battle of Ypres, both in West Belgium. A report from 14 July, 1917, however says that he was previously reported killed in the battle, but died of wounds received in action, GSW (Gun Shot Wound) to his head and leg at the 1th Field Ambulance Station.

Arthur Ernest Polson was buried at Kandahar Farm Cemetery, Hevelland, Arrondisement leper, West Flanders, Belgium. He was twenty five years old.

A death notice was printed in The Argus and The Age newspapers on Saturday 25 July: 

POLSON: On 10th July killed in action in France, Private Arthur Ernest, only dearly beloved son of Mrs S. Polton, and loved grandson of Mr. and Mrs. R Anderson, 'Storra Vena', Cranbourne.

Another newspaper article said: Word has been received by Mrs Polson ( nee Edith Pratt) of 390 Albert Street, East Melbourne, that her husband Private Arthur Ernest Polton was killed in action in France on July 10th. The young soldier was for some considerable time in the employ of the late mr. J.G. Hudson, storekeeper, Cranbourne, and was hon. secretary of the local Patrioric Society.

Arthur Ernest Polson is remembered in Panel 183 of the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial.