SAPPER ARTHUR ANDREW POUNTNEY
2361 – 3rd Tunnelling Company
Arthur was born at Tower Hamlets, Mile End Old Town, London, Middlesex, England, the son of Albert Edward and Eliza (nee Howard) Pountney. In 1891 the family were living in 3 rooms at 14 Jupps Road, Mile End Old Town where Albert was a Printers Machine Minder. Eliza cared for the house and children: Eliza Alberta. Born 1884; Albert George Fredrick born 1885; Arthur Andrew born 1888 and William Edward born 1890.
In 1901 the family were living at 73 Thorpe Road, Leytonstone. Albert was now a Printer (Composite) and daughter Eliza A. a Tailoress. The family had grown with the births of Lillian Ada born 1895; Leonard Thomas born 1897 and Norah Florence born 1899.
In 1911 the family were at 217 Neville Road, Forest Gate, East London and two more children had joined the family: Ivy Kathleen born 1904 and Stanley Lawrence born 1908. Albert G.F. was a Car man/Carrier. 217 Neville Road was an 8-room dwelling (not including the scullery, bathroom etc.). Two boarders also lived in the house; sisters Matilda and Elizabeth Wren, dressmakers.
Arthur Pountney completed an ‘Application to Enlist in the Australian Imperial Force’ at the Town Hall Recruiting Depot, Sydney on 16 August 1915. He stated he was a Tinsmith by trade, having completed an apprenticeship with J.C. Spooner, Aldgate, East London.
A medical examination at the Department of Public Health, Sydney on 16 August recorded that he was 27 years and 6 months of age. He was 5ft 6ins tall and weighed 9 stone 7 lbs. He had a fair complexion, brown eyes and black hair. He was of the Church of England faith. Distinguishing marks recorded were 3 faint vaccination marks on left arm and two old scars on right shoulder on back.
He named as his Next-of-Kin his brother Mr. Albert G.F. Pountney of 1 Devonshire Road, Ludon House, London, England,
He signed the ‘Attestation Paper of Persons Enlisted for Service Abroad’ and the Oath to ‘well and truly serve’ on 30 August 1915 at Holdsworthy, NSW. On 17 December at Casula, NSW, he was appointed to ‘B’ Company, 20th Infantry Battalion.
16 February 1916 he was transferred to the 1st Reinforcements Mining Corps and on 23 March at Roseberry Park to the 2nd Reinforcements 1st Company 1st Mining Battalion.
2nd Reinforcements HMAT A16 Star of Victoria embarked at Sydney 31 March 1916
3 Officers and 177 Other Ranks of the 2nd Reinforcements for the Mining Corps embarked at Sydney on board HMAT A16 Star of Victoria on 31 March 1916. Eleven of the volunteers had come from Tasmania; forty from Victoria; forty-three from Western Australia; six were Queenslanders; two from South Australia and seventy-eight were from New South Wales.
The ship arrived at Colombo, Ceylon on April 4, 1916 and after refuelling departed the following day. The vessel docked at the Suez, Egypt on May 3, 1916 where the Reinforcements disembarked after 33 days at sea. The weather during the voyage was cold and rough. The Star of Victoria departed the next day for Port Said and spent the day in port May 5, 1916.
From the Suez the men were transported to Alexandria where they were transhipped to the City of Edinburgh leaving on May 5 for the crossing to France. They arrived at Marseilles on May 17 and were entrained to Etaples, marching in to the Base Depot on June 1, 1916.
Arthur had been an Acting Corporal on voyage from Australia to Europe
A ‘Mining Corps’ did not fit in the British Expeditionary Force, and the Corps was disbanded and three Australian Tunnelling Companies were formed. The Technical Staff of the Corps Headquarters, plus some technically qualified men from the individual companies, was formed into the entirely new Australian Electrical and Mechanical Mining and Boring Company (AEMMBC), better known as the ‘Alphabetical Company’.
On 25 June 1916, John was attached for duty No.3 Tunnelling Company of the Mining Corps. On 3 August Orders were issued to dis-band the Australian Mining Corps and No.3 Company became officially the 3rd Australian Tunnelling Company (3ATC).
Arthur was buried at Pont-du-Hem Military Cemetery, La Gorgue, 2½ miles South East of Estaires and 1½ miles South West of Laventie, at Plot II, Row B, grave 10.
Bray and Lavars were also buried at Pont-du-Hem; Sapper Bray at Plot II, Row A, grave 11 and Sapper John Lavers at Plot II, Row B, grave 9.
Arthur Pountney was a member of 3ATC from May 1916 until his death in September 1916. 3ATC first saw action at Boers Head in the lead up the Fromelles diversion ‘stunt’ of July 1916. The Company was allocated to the First Army and were engaged variously at Laventie-Fauquissart, Givenchy, Loos, Lens (Hill 70), Double Crassiers and Vermelles, and other places on the Western Front.
On 11 October 1917 his Next-of-Kins’ address was changed to 18 St. Albans Avenue, High Street South, East Ham, Essex.
Personal effects belonging to Arthur were returned to his brother Albert, receipt acknowledged on 14 May 1917. Included were Identity disc, wrist belt, field glasses in case (damaged), 2 wallets, book, match box cover, leather watch cover, 7 coins and 1 Franc note.
Arthurs’ war memorabilia of British War Medal and Victory Medal, Memorial Plaque, Memorial Scroll and King’s Message and the pamphlet “Where The Australians Rest” were provided to his brother.
Arthur Andrew Pountney's name is located at panel 27 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial.
LEST WE FORGET
© Donna Baldey 2013
www.tunnellers.net
Albert George Frederick Pountney served in WW1 with the Tank Corps (Regimental Number 78914), Royal Berkshire Regiment (No. 38234) & Tank Corps (No. 304277)
He married Matilda Emma Wren on 29 August 1915 whom had boarded with the Pountney family in 1911.