Arnold Kingsley Hosking

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Sat, 07/11/2015 - 11:28
First Name: 
Arnold
Middle Name: 
Kingsley
Last Name: 
Hosking
Date of Birth: 
Friday, April 10, 1891
Mother's Name: 
Emily Hosking nee Warner
Father's Name: 
John Hosking
Date Enlisted: 
Monday, August 10, 1914
Rank at Enlistment: 
Corporal
Rank at Discharge: 
Major
Unit: 
20th Battalion
Company: 
C
Service: 
Infantry
Awards: 
Military Cross
1914/1915 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Date of Death: 
Thursday, September 20, 1917
Place of Death: 
Passchendaele, Belgium
Cause of Death: 
Killed in action
Details: 

Arnold Hosking (Service No 305) was born in Wollongong, N.S.W. and attended school there.  He also served for 9 years in junior and senior cadets and 37th Militia.

When Arnold enlisted he was 23 years old, single, and worked as an engineer.

He served with C Company, Australian Naval & military Expeditionary Force (Tropical Unit) in New Guinea.

Initially enlisted at the rank of Private, Arnold embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A35 Berrima as a Corporal on 19th August 1914 and was discharged, time expired, on 4th March 1915, with the rank of Lance Sergeant.

He then enlisted in the AIF on 5th May 1915 as a Lieutenant, and embarked on HMAT A35 Berrima with C Company, 20th Battalion, on 25th June 1915.  He arrived on Gallipoli on 16th August 1915 and served there until the evacuation.

Back in Egypt, he was promoted to Captain on 1st March 1916.

Arnold arrived in France on 25th March 1916.  On 8th May 1916 he was wounded in action but remained on duty as the wound was slight.  He served on the Somme with distinction, and was promoted to Major on 13th January 1917.

Arnold was recommended to receive the Military Cross on 18th September 1916.  The citation reads: 'For general good work and devotion to duty. On 5th May during the enemy raid on Bridoux Salient he showed great coolness, and although slightly wounded remained on duty. He was mentioned in Corps orders for good work during the Brigade operations on the Somme -'25th July to 5th August, and 21st to 27th August 1916.'

Arnold was awarded the Military Cross on above recommendation: Gazetted in London Gazette of 1 January 1917, and Commonwealth of Australia Gazette of 29 June 1917.

On 7th March 1917 Arnold was recommended for a bar to the Military Cross. The citation reads: 'For indefatigable devotion to duty during the advance by this Bn on MALT TRENCH and for invaluable reconnoitering work which enabled connection to be maintained with neighbouring units throughout. 24th/ 25th February.'

On 20th September 1917, while involved in the fighing at Polygon Wood, Ypres, Arnold was killed in action.

Arnold is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery, Passchendaele, Flanders, Belgium; Plot XXVII, Row C, Grave 24.

Sources: 
NAA: B2455, HOSKING A K MAJOR/305

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