People Australia

Arnold Selwyn Metcalfe, n.d. photographer unknown

from Bank of New South Wales Roll of Honour

ARNOLD SELWYN METCALFE was born at Young, New South Wales, on 16th January, 1894. He was the sixth son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Joseph Metcalfe. He was educated at the District School, Young, and joined the service of the Bank in the same town on 23rd November, 1910. A few days later he was transferred to Cowra; in August, 1911, to Eugowra, as assistant; in April, 1912, to Narrandera; and in September, 1914, to Stockinbingal.

Arnold Metcalfe enlisted on 15th February, 1915, and sailed from Australia with the 6th Reinforcements of the 1st Light Horse at end of June as lance-corporal. He saw service on Gallipoli from end of September until the evacuation; then, with his regiment, he took part in the campaign in Syria and Palestine, being engaged in the Battles of Romani and El Arish, and took part in the capture of Jerusalem. In the meantime he had been promoted to corporal.

He went on with his comrades to Bethlehem and the Jordan, where he was killed by a high explosive shell on 19th April, 1918, while on reconnaissance duty. He was about to receive his commission for the excellent service he had rendered during the whole of the campaign in which he took part. He was buried on the Jericho Road, near the Jordan.