Just Another Pair Of Socks

Melton District ANZACS

Arthur John FOSSEY

Personal

Born: 1885

Birth registration: Victorian Births, Deaths & Marriages Registration No. 12639

Birthplace: Rockbank, Victoria

Parents:

William Alfred Fossey (1857-1938) Maria Quaile (1857-1925) 

Died: 1980

Awards and Honours

  • British War Medal 1914-20
  • Victory Medal

Battalions

3rd reinforcements; 32nd Battalion70th Battalon

Events

Enlistment

Regimental Service Number: 2030

Enlistment date: 4 August, 1915 Adelaide, S.A.

Age at enlistment: 31 years 3 months

Address at enlistment: Adelaide

Religion: Church of England

Marital Status: Single

Next of kin:

Sister: Mrs. Ada Gebert, Dalmallee via Dimboola

Parents: William Alfred Fossey (1857-1938) Maria Quaile (1857-1925) Lived at 36 Spencer St., Essendon Arthur is one of 10 children, 5 girls and 5 boys, with 1 girl and 1 boy not surviving infancy. William died after an accident while cycling. He was hit by a motorcycle in St Kilda when living at Elwood. William Alfred Fosseys parents are: Walter Fossey (1829-1902) and Mary Ann Coburn (1835-1896); Mary Anns parents are John Coburn (1803-1851) and Eliza Amelia Strain (1813-1861). Marias father was Vere Essex Quaile blacksmith, farrier, and coachbuilder of Bacchus Marsh from 1849-1866. He moved to Euroa where he died. Brothers Arthur, George and Charles all served in World War 1. George and Charles were both killed.

Physical Description: Height: 5 feet 6 inches
Weight: 136 pounds
Complexion: Medium
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Dark Brown
Distinctive marks:

Embarkation ship: H.M.A.T. Miltiades.

Rank: Private

Return Date: 12 April, 1918

Return Vessel: Karoola Hospital Ship.

Arrival at Australia: 26 May, 1918.

Discharge Date: 29 July, 1918

War Service Summary

07/02/1916 - Embarked
11/03/1916 - Disembarked Suez
01/04/1916 - Proceeded to join 32nd Battalion Zeitoum
08/04/1916 - At Duntroon Plateau
03/06/1916 - Moascar
16/06/1916 - Disembarked at Plymouth from Alexandria H.M.T. Francaine
21/08/1916 - Proceeded overseas to France to join unit
14/09/1916 - Rejoined unit
11/12/1916 - Wounded in action: Gun Shot Wound foot and elbow
16/12/1916 - Left Rouen for England
17/12/1916 - 21/01/1917 Admitted to 1st London General Hospital, Camberwell 41 days in hospital
21/01/1917 - 12/02/1917 - Furlough
23/03/1917 - To 70th Battalion from 32nd Battalion Wareham, England
10/04/1917 - In hospital with mumps, Wareham,
28/04/1917 - To 70th Battalion From 16th Field Ambulance Hospital, Wareham
19/09/1917 - To 32nd Battalion from 70th Battalion
24/10/1917 - Proceeded overseas to France via Southhampton
25/10/1917 - Harve
01/11/1917 - In the field
19/02/1918 - Wounded in Action; 2nd time; Messines Caused by shrapnel
09/03/1918 - To England from Etaples
26/03/1918 - To 1st Aux. Hospital; Gun Shot Wound Left knee, fractured patella & Gun Shot Wound to hand fractured metacarpal right hand severe
09/03/1918 - Embarked for England; admitted Tooting Military Hospital Church Lane, Tooting 17 days in hospital
01/04/1918 - Assessed Australian Auxillary Hospital, Harefield, Middlesex; Recommended unfit for all service for 6 months
05/04/1918 - Embarked for return to Australia
29/07/1918 - Discharged AIF 4th M.D. ex Karoola
09/08/1918 Admitted to hospital:

Total service 2 years, 360 days
Service Abroad 2 years, 109 days

War Service Commemerated

Life After the War

Names of wife & children:
30/10/1926 - Married Alma Tongs, Methodist Church, Middle Park (Ref: Burnie Advocte, 18/12/1926)

Place/s of residence:
1919 & 1924 - 36 Spencer St., Essendon
1931 - Greythorn Road, Balwyn
1936 & 1942 - 135 Station St., Box Hill
1949 -1977 - Marahall Av., Hampton/ Highett ,

Occupations:
1919 & 1924 - Labourer
1931 1977 - Dairy Farmer;
Alma - Home duties

Date of death:
1980 Reg # 01342

Place of burial:

Other relevant information:

Additional Information

The Bacchus Marsh Express

Saturday 10 April 1880, P 2

BIRTH.

FOSSEY.—On the 31st March, at the Werribee, the wife of William Alfred Fossey, of a daughter.

 

The Bacchus Marsh Express

Saturday 15 June 1895 p 2

The anniversary of the Duke of Abercorn Lodge of Freemasons took place in the Lodge room on the evening of the 7th inst; The chair was occupied by Bro. H. G. Paterson W.M., who installed his successor, Bro; Jno. Borlase, in office, assisted   by the Past Masters of the Lodge. P.M. Bro. Howe was invested with the insignia of the office of Treasurer, who in turn invested the following brethren with the regalia and jewel of their respective offices -S.W., Bro. A. G. Osborne; J.W., Bro. W. A. Fossey; S.D., Bro. P. Murray;

 

The Burnie Advocate

Saturday 18 December 1926, P 19

WEDDING BELLS.  

Fossey-Tongs.  

A very pretty wedding was celebrated at the Methodist Church, Middle Park Victoria, on October 30, when Mr. Arthur J. Fossey, son of the late Mrs. Fossey and Mr. W. Fossey of Essendon, Victoria, and Miss Alma Tongs, fourth   daughter of Mrs. A. M. Tongs, and the late Mr. S. Tongs; "Rose, Hill," Ulverstone, Tasmania, were joined in the bonds of holy matrimony. There was a large congregation present to witness the ceremony, which was performed by Rev. Flentzi.  The music was rendered by Mrs. J. W. Blackburn, Thornbury, Victoria.    

As the bridal party entered the church the choir sang "The Voice That Breathed Over Eden” and as the party retired the "Wedding March” was rendered.

The bride entered the Church with her mother, who gave her away. The bride wore a dainty wedding frock of white crepe-de-chine, relieved with satin, and finished off with hand-made silk flowers. A beautiful hand-worked veil was worn, with a circlet of orange blossom. The train was of white brocaded marocain, embroidered with pearls. A pearl necklet and bouquet of choice white flowers, asparagus and maiden-hair ferns, with streamers of white satin, completed her toilet.          

The bride was accompanied by her sister (Miss Adelaide Tongs), who wore a beautiful frock of ivory brocaded maracain  and white crinoline hat, trimmed with pink satin roses. She carried an early Victorian posy of pink and white flowers, with pink satin streamers. Her gift from the bridegroom was a gold armlet. The little maid of honor (Miss Alma Hunter), the bride's niece, looked sweet in a pretty white voile and filet lace frock, finished off with blue ribbon. Master Russell Hunter, the brides nephew, looked smart in a cream silk suit, and acted as train-bearer. Their presents were a gold brooch, and a set of child's cutlery respectively.

Mr. J. Campbell performed the duties of best man.

The boquets were made by the bride's sister (Mrs. E.F. Hunter), Mentone,    Victoria.

….

Amid showers of confetti and good wishes, Mr. and Mrs. Fossey left for their future home at Essendon, Victoria. …

 

PARENTS’ MARRIAGE

The Argus

Tuesday 20 May 1879 p 1

FOSSEY-QUAILE - On the 17th inst, at St Stephen's Church, Richmond, by the Rev. C. T. Perks, William Alfred, second son of Walter Fossey, of Brighton street, Richmond, to Maria, third daughter of Vere Quaile, of Euroa  

 

FATHER’S DEATH

The Argus

Monday 11 July 1938 p 3

 

Cyclists Injured

William Alfred Fossey, aged 80 years, of Moore street Elwood, was fatally injured when his bicycle and a motor-cycle collided in Brighton road, near the corner of Victoria avenue St Kilda, on Saturday afternoon He died soon after admittance to the Alfred Hospital.

Sources

Australian War Memorial
Service Record
Nominal Roll
Newspaper accounts