ARTHUR G. BYRNES
WWI YEARS
Sutton Veny
Arthur's stay at Sutton Veny is the longest stretch of time for which his whereabouts are known. Sutton Veny lies in the Wylye Valley between Salisbury and Bath, and is approximately 2 miles from the town of Warminster in Wiltshire.
Sutton Veny, Wiltshire - today and in WWI.
The proximity of Sutton Veny to Warminster (railway station) and Salisbury Plain ensured that Sutton Veny and the surrounding villages in the upper Wylye Valley area, was an ideal location to barrack troops in order for them to train prior to deploying northern France. Approximately 10 Camps were built around Sutton Veny. Both sides of the Norton Road from Leys Lane were trenches, and troops would live in them for a week at a time with food being brought out as would occur in war. After the Armistice, No 1 Australian General Hospital was transferred to Sutton Veny where it remained until the end of 1919, and many ill or debilitated Australians soldiers died there. The No. 1 General Hospital (1AGH) opened at Sutton Veny on 15 January 1919 after coming from Rouen, France. Arthur spent some time in the military hospital there. Greenhill House (Sutton Veny House today) was a YMCA for the many Australian troops in the area. At the end of 1919 all the Australians returned home, and the huts were demolished.
Before the men were shipped back to Australia, the AIF began an education service to train them for civilian jobs. Training was commenced on site in Sutton Veny in various subjects, including bookkeeping and agricultural pursuits like wool classing. Arthur being allowed or supported to attend the Marconi School in London (and maybe work for the postal department in wireless telegraphy?) was likely part of this general jobs assistance program.
WWI soldiers camp near Sutton Veny
Some of the army huts at Sutton Veny
Sutton Veny is on the chalk Downs. Australians cut a reproduction of their badge out of the chalk on the hillside above Foxhole Bottom alongside the A36 which can still be seen today.
And this looks like a CoA (Commonwealth of Australia) carving under a boomerang (?). Carved in the chalk.
WWI photograph (postcard).
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