Arthur Roberts was born in Ballarat and was a Driver by trade when he enlisted in the 14th Battalion, 13th Reinforcement on 12 July 1915 at the age of 21. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A64 Demosthenes on 29 December 1915. While serving in France with the 14th Battalion he faced a General Court Martial in July 1916, charged with æsleeping at his post while on active service'. Despite his not guilty plea, he was found guilty and sentenced to two years detention with hard labour, but the sentence was suspended. A year later, in August 1917, he was guilty of the much lesser charge of ænot wearing a belt', and forfeited a day's pay as a penalty. On February 1st 1918 he was wounded in action, gassed. He was wounded a second time during the battle for Amiens on August 8th 1918. He sustained a severe gunshot wound to the leg which ended the war for him. He was no longer fit for active service and he returned home on the Suevic, reaching Melbourne on January 5th 1919. He was subsequently discharged æmedically unfit – disability'.
Tree No. 1103