Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Arthur Black was born 12 November 1891 at Greenstreet, Ashburton, although his military personnel file states “11 Nov 1891”. He was the youngest child of Francis (Frank) and Harriet Black (nee MOORE). Arthur attended Ashburton Forks and Greenstreet Schools.

At the time of his enlistment, he was 22 years and 9 months old, and his address was given as 211 North Street, Timaru, and he was occupied as a farmer. His father, of Fairview, Timaru, was given as his next of kin. Arthur embarked with the Main Body of the Canterbury Mounted Rifles on 16 October 1914, about the Tahiti or Athenic. Arthur served with the Canterbury Mounted Rifles in the Egyptian campaigns of 1914 and 1915 and at Gallipoli, where he was wounded in the leg on 27 July 1915 on Walker’s Ridge (shrapnel). The wound does not appear to have been serious as he was not withdrawn. However, in late August Arthur was withdrawn ill (debility) and transferred to the New Zealand General Hospital at Cairo, then to the Infectious Diseases Hospital. Arthur was ultimately returned to New Zealand and discharged on 12 April 1916. In New Zealand he was sent to the Red Cross hospital at Hamner to recover from enteric [fever], but was discharged to take up a light job which was recommended as the best course to encourage recovery. Later in the month a medical board confirmed the recommendation, noting that he had requested to be discharged (presumably to take up the opportunity), and that he was unlikely to be fit for duty again for at least six months. He had served for one year and 244 days, 166 of which were spent in New Zealand.

At the end of the war, the Lyttelton Times of 20 September 1919 (p10) reported on a service commemorating those who served from Greenstreet, Ashburton:

“A welcome home to soldiers, and the unveiling of a Roll of Honour, took place in the Greenstreet School on Thursday, in the presence of a large gathering, over which Mr R. Anderson presided. Mr James Cow and the Mayor of Ashburton (Mr R. Galbraith) delivered addresses of welcome, and thanked the soldiers for what they had done. Mr Cow on behalf of the residents of the district, presented medals to the parents of V. Anderson, G. Hill and S. Banks, who had lost their lives during the war, and Mr J. W. Oliver was presented with a medal for his son, who had not yet returned to New Zealand. Medals were also presented to A. Button and J. Hill. Mrs P. Connolly and a lady who had lost two sons in the war unveiled the Roll of Honour, on which the following names were inscribed:—H. Corbitt, C M'Conachie, R. Nicholas (each of whom had lost their lives), A. Black, H. Boag, J. Buckley A. Callott, F. Clark, C. Connoch, T. Connolly, A. Cunningham, H. Frisby, H. Hydes, B. Hydes, L. Hill, J Knox, W Knox, E. Moore, H. M'Conachie, H. Oliver E. Oliver, J. Reeves, W. Ryan, J. Sutherland. K. Sutherland, R. Sergeant, A. Sutton, T. Stone, P. Walker and M. Wilson. A number of enjoyable musical items were rendered.”

Arthur died on 19 May 1971 at Waikato Hospital, Hamilton. At the time, his usual residence was Flat 8, Aroha Flats, Centennial Ave, Te Aroha. He was cremated and ashes interred at Hamilton Park Cemetery on 21 May 1971.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database (August 2014); Military Personnel File [accessed 11 July 2025]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

No documents available. 

Researched and Written by

Carol Bell, SC branch NZSG; Tony Rippin, South Canterbruy Museum

Currently Assigned to

Not assigned.