East Fremantle Roll of Honour

The East Fremantle Roll of Honour, commemorating the Great War of 1914-1918, was erected in May 1918.

Dr Arthur White CMG was principal medical officer of Fremantle when commissioned into the Australian Army Medical Corps in November 1914. He was 54 years old and 16 years over the age limit at the time, but served with distinction in command of the 2nd Australian Stationary Hospital in Egypt and at Gallipoli. In June 1917 he was awarded the Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) for services rendered in connection with military operations in the field. In December 1917 he was Mentioned in Despatches for distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty in the field during the period 26 February to midnight 20-21 September 1917.

He returned to his wife Mary and their East Fremantle home, Tor House, Canning Road (now Highway), on 4 May 1918, aged 58. It was perfect timing and he was the perfect person to be invited to unveil it, which he did in the afternoon of 8 June 1918.

The Honour Roll he unveiled features his own name, plus the names of 387 other soldiers, and one nurse. Our research shows they were between the ages of 16 and 54; that some were born in, and grew up in East Fremantle; and that some lived here at the time they enlisted. For others, their closest tie to East Fremantle was a friend or relative who lived here, who sought to have their name inscribed upon it to honour the service, and sometimes the sacrifice, of their loved one.

It’s likely there are other soldiers and nurses from, or associated with East Fremantle whose names are not on the Honour Roll. Museum of Perth is working to uncover their names.