Arthur Ralston

First Name: 
Arthur
Last Name: 
Ralston
Mother's Name: 
Elizabeth Ralston (nee Hoggan)
Father's Name: 
James Ralston
Date Enlisted: 
Sunday, July 25, 1915
Rank at Enlistment: 
Private
Rank at Discharge: 
Private
Unit: 
45th Battalion
Company: 
C
Service: 
Infantry
Awards: 
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Date of Death: 
Thursday, June 7, 1917
Place of Death: 
Belgium
Cause of Death: 
Killed in action
Details: 

Arthur Ralston (Service No 4278) was born in Mount Kembla, NSW in 1887. He was the first of the Ralston children born in Australia after his family arrived from Scotland.

At the time of enlistment Arthur was a single 27 year old labourer. He embarked on HMAT A60 Aeneas with 13th Reinforcements, 13th Battalion on 20th December, 1915. After arriving in Egypt, Arthur was transferred to C Company, 45th Battalion on 6th March, 1916. He arrived in France with them on 8th June 1916, and saw service on the Western Front.

On 10th August, 1916, Arthur was fighting in the trenches in the Poziere area when his rifle was damaged. Arthur retrieved a rifle lying nearby, but had to clean the mud from it before he could use it. While cleaning the rifle, it exploded and Arthur received a gun shot wound to his foot. The type of wound indicated a self inflicted wound and he was taken to hospital for treatment under guard. A court of enquiry was held where he was cleared due to evidence given by a number of his comrades, and the Sargeant who gave the orders for him to use the rifle.

Arthur returned to his unit on 23rd September 1916.

Arthur was taking part in the Messines battle when he was killed in action on 7th June, 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, Belgium.

Sources: 
NAA: B2455, RALSTON ARTHUR