The City of Greater Bendigo has created a website for this year's Anzac Day centenary celebrations. Today we continue a series showcasing the website.
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PRIVATE Arthur William Goulden was born in 1887 at Marong to John and Elizabeth Jane Goulden, nee Glass. Arthur, a farmer from Marong, enlisted on October 16, 1916, aged 28. His next of kin was his mother, Mrs E Goulden, of Marong.
Arthur embarked from Melbourne on February 19, 1917, with the 8th Infantry Battalion - 24 and 25 Reinforcements per HMAT Ballarat A70. He was aboard SS Ballarat when it was torpedoed on April 25, 1917, and was invalided home in 1918 and discharged on March 4, 1918.
He died at Hawthorn in 1953, aged 65.
The Bendigonian, Thursday, March 1, 1917:
A MARONG SOLDIER. Marong, February 24. Mr. A.W. Goulden, of Wilson's Hill, Marong, sailed recently with the Australian Imperial Forces: Mr Golden, whose brother Ernest was killed at Gallipoli, offered himself for service four times before being accepted. He took an active interest in all local matters, and was Hon. Secretary of the Marong Mutual Improvement and Debating Society for the past two years. He was also a member of the Church of England choir, and before leaving for the front was tendered a farewell social by its members and presented with a pocket wallet as a token of esteem. Mr R.L. McKenzie, the student in charge of the church, made the presentation and wished Mr Goulden good luck and a safe turn.
The Bendigonian, Thursday, March 21, 1918:
WELCOME HOME FUNCTIONS. Private A.W. Goulden, who recently returned from England, invalided home on account of ill health, was accorded a public welcome home by the residents of Wilson's Hill, in the local state school on Friday night. A good gathering of friends mustered. There was a varied programme of musical items and dancing. Private Goulden related some of his experiences on board the ill-fated troopship, Ballarat, which he and his comrades were on when she was sunk by a German submarine.
Source: Bev Hanson
Read more at www.anzaccentenarybendigo.com.au