Arthur and Walter Mancktelow #2841 & #2840

Indigenous Australians, Arthur and Walter Mancktelow, 49th Infantry Battalion

Not long after the death of their father Albert Mancktelow, brothers Walter and Arthur Mancktelow lined up together to enlist in September 1916, to join the first AIF and serve for their country. The men from Millmerran were two of ten children born to Albert and Eliza, originally from Cattle Creek near Roma. 

Initially assigned to the 6th reinforcements for the 41st Infantry Battalion, they trained together at Enoggera Barracks, just outside Brisbane before embarking for overseas aboard HMT Demosthenes in December, and arrived in England in early March 1917. 

They both contracted influenza not long after arriving and were admitted to Tidworth Military hospital at Fargo for treatment. After several months returning to strength they were both transferred to the 49th Battalion and proceeded overseas to France where they joined their unit in the front lines. 

In September 1918 Walter was severely wounded during the Battalion's offensive attack on the enemy's Hindenburg Line. Evacuated first to Rouen, France then to England, where he was treated for severe concussion, then influenza, Walter would not see any further action. 

Arthur served without injury during his time in action in France, but he was again struck by influenza in early 1919; he remained on duty in England until being repatriated home in June, with the rank of Extra Regimental Sergeant.

Read more ...

• Service record: Mancktelow, Arthur
• Service record: Mancktelow, Walter

Watch ...

• Queensland’s Indigenous Servicemen [oral history]

The information in this blog post has been researched by State Library staff and volunteers, it is based on available information at this time. If you have more information that you would like to share or further research uncovers new findings, this post will be updated.