47028 Rifleman John Findlay McArthur, 14/10/1892-5/5/1918. "a bloodstained 5-mark banknote"

On the New Zealand Rifle Brigade front in the Colincamps area, April 5th dawned with a heavy German artillery bombardment.  The Brigade HQ, in a cellar in the village, narrowly missed being hit by 12 inch shell which left a line large craters.  At 8.30am the barrage lifted and began to fall behind the lines.  The Germans were on their way, having swept all before them in their Spring offensive.  It was their last throw of the dice - reinforced from the Eastern front where Russia had dropped out of the war and conscious that the might of the United States was about to be felt in the West.  

They had to win in 1918 or defeat was inevitable.

The Official History of the Brigade tells the story: "By noon the situation was again normal. Our casualties were not heavy. They were very slight in the 3rd Battalion; the 4th had one officer and 25 men killed, and one officer and 45 men wounded; while in the 1st, two officers and 26 men were killed, and one officer and 50 men wounded. A conservative estimate of the enemy's casualties opposite our immediate front places the number at over 500.

"This attack was unique in the respect that it was the only one of major importance that the New Zealand Division ever sustained. It was launched with great determination, and wave after wave of advancing troops added strength and weight to the leading lines striking vainly at our posts. The enemy's immediate objective was that long stretch of high ground to our rear on which Colincamps stood, and along which the construction of our defensive system known as the Purple Line had already been commenced. This was made clear from pencilled sketch-maps which were found on the bodies of German offices and non-commissioned officers, and which were drawn with so much detail as to show the positions in our territory that had been fixed upon as his battalion and brigade headquarters. Add to this the circumstance that his men advanced to the attack wearing full packs, and the fact is at once apparent that a successful issue was, in his mind, a foregone conclusion."

John McArthur was in the Brigade's 1st Battalion. He was one of the 28 soldiers who died that day. He had spent just over one year in the Army.

THE ROLL OF HONOUR

RFM. J. F. McARTHUR. 

Rifleman John Findlay McArthur, reported killed in action on April 5, was born and educated at Dunedin. He enlisted with the 25th Reinforcements, and was posted to the Rifle Brigade. Previous to enlisting he was employed as a tinsmith. He was an enthusiastic footballer, and played for the Zingari-Richmond Club. Mr J. N. McArthur, of Gore, is a brother. The deceased soldier was 25 years of age.  -Southland Times, 30/4/1918.

Rifleman. John Findlay McArthur, who was killed in action somewhere in France, collected some battlefield souvenirs, which he caused to he sent to his aunt, Mrs A. Blackwood, of Roslyn, before his death. These include a blood-stained German 5-mark banknote, secured at Passchendaele Ridge; also a belt from a German machine gun, which gun had accounted for many New Zealanders. On the iron buckle of the belt is a raised crown, and surrounding it, the inscription, "Gott mit uns," a somewhat impious motto for a death-dealing machine. On the belt the late rifleman had sewn a number of English, Scottish, and French soldiers' buttons and regimental insignia. A rather unusual souvenir is a framed certificate from Father Neptune.  -Otago Witness, 15/5/1918.

RIFLEMAN J. F. McARTHUR. 

Rifleman John Findlay McArthur (Fin.), who was killed in action on April 5, 1918, was the grandson of Mrs H. McArthur, 11 Russell street, Dunedin, and was in his 26th year. He was educated at the Arthur Street School and then the Otago Boys' High School. After leaving school he followed the occupation of a tinsmith, and served his time with Messrs Eustace Bros., tinsmiths, Moray place. On leaving them he went to Messrs Farra Bros., Stafford street, with whom he worked for three and a-half years, up till the time of leaving for camp with the 25th Reinforcements. His platoon sergeant, in writing a note of sympathy, says that Rifleman McArthur was moving forward with a machine gun when he was struck by a shell. He died an hour afterwards.   -Evening Star, 27/6/1918.

M'ARTHUR. — In loving memory of Rifleman John Findlay McArthur, who died from wounds, and was buried at Mailly-Mallet on April 6, 1918. 

In a hero's grave he sleepeth, "Somewhere in France" he fell; 

How little we thought when we parted, It was the last farewell. 

— Inserted by his loving grandmother, Mrs H. McArthur, 11 Russell street, Dunedin. 

McARTHUR. — In loving memory of our dear nephew and cousin, Rifleman John Findlay McArthur, who died from wounds, and was buried at Mailly-Mallet on April 5, 1918. 

Sleep on, beloved, sleep and take thy rest; Lay down thy head upon thy Saviour's breast; 

We love thee well, but Jesus loves thee best — Good-night! 

— Inserted by Mr and Mrs A. Blackwood and family, 27 Gamma street, Roslyn.   -Otago Witness, 9/4/1919.

Southern Cemetery, Dunedin.