ARTHUR AUGUSTINE FAHEY (2.4.7.3A)
1926 - 1985
Arthur Augustine Fahey was the third of three children born to Augustine James Fahey (1904-1981) and Florence Dorothea Jones (1904-1975). He was also known as “Art”. He was born on 8 April 1926 in Bankstown, NSW. He married Gwendoline Usher (29 December 1926 - 14 January 2009) on 17 July 1948 at St John’s Church, Campsie. Together they had two children: • Warren John Fahey (1950); and • Jo-Anne Ruth Fahey (1957) – deceased at birth. Arthur passed away peacefully at Concord Hospital on 8 May 1985. Arthur's information from the Australian Cemetries Index may be found here. |
Arthur's Story
Arthur Augustine Fahey was the third of three children born to Augustine James Fahey (1904-1981) and Florence Dorothea Jones (1904-1975). He was also known as “Art”.
Arthur was born on 8 April 1926 in Bankstown, NSW.
Arthur’s siblings at birth were:
Growing up at the family home at 160 Greenacre Road Greenacre, Arthur attended Bankstown Public School and ……………………….. School passing his Intermediate Certificate in 19XX.
After leaving school Arthur entered an apprenticeship as a bicycle mechanic at a local bicycle store, Smithson & Rees Cycle Manufacturers. At the time Jackie Johnston was a famous Australian cyclist. The signature bicycle manufactured was called a “Jay Jay”. In 1960 Arthur modified a Jay Jay – new spray job, tyres, brakes, handlebars and pedals) and presented it to his ten year old son Warren! This is a prized possession of Warren’s to this day!
On 3 May 1944 Arthur enlisted in the Australian Military Forcesat Area 53D in Bankstown. At the time he declared his details as:
Arthur’s Military Service commenced on 17 May 1944 when he “Marched in at Paddington NSW” and was “Taken on Holding Strength” in the 8 Australian Infantry Battalion with identification as “N.479349 Private Arthur Augustine Fahey”. His Army records also show that he was Medically assessed as ‘Fit for Class I’.
A summary taken from Arthur’s Army records may be viewed here.
Highlights of Arthur’s time in the Army included:
Arthur's Virtual War Memorial Australian webpage may be accessed here.
Following discharge from the Army Arthur undertook a “Bridge and Wharf Carpentry” and from this he was employed in various capacities as a:
Arthur was a handsome man who, according to the photographs, appeared to really enjoy himself at social events including dances.
Arthur married Gwendoline Usher (29 December 1926 - 14 January 2009) on 17 July 1948 at St John’s Church, Campsie.
(NSW BDM 17617/1948)
Together they had two children:
Following his marriage to Gwen, Arthur lived at
Attached is a photograph taken on 17 July 1948 at the wedding of Arthur Augustine Fahey to Gwendoline Usher with Augustine James Fahey and Florence Dorothea Fahey (nee Jones).
Attached is a photograph taken on 25 June 1955 at the wedding of John James Fahey to Joyce Edith Newman with (from Left to Right):
Additionally, in this photograph are Warren John Fahey (far left foreground) and Gaye Emily Keir (far right foreground).
Arthur’s life in his latter years was dominated by alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking – something more than likely acquired during his service in the Army.
In early April 1985 Arthur was admitted to Concord Hospital and lapsed into a coma. He was unaware that his only Grandchild, Ben-John Fahey, had just been born. Arthur passed away peacefully on 8 May 1985 without regaining consciousness.
(NSW BDM 11010/1985)
His body was created and his ashes placed in the War section in the Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens and Crematorium: East Terrace 1 Wall 4.
(Macquarie Park Cemetery and Crematorium is situated on 59 hectares of Crown land at intersection of Plassey and Delhi roads. It is owned by the New South Wales Government, administered by the Department of Primary Industries and managed by successive Boards of Trustees as a not-for-profit community service in perpetuity since the first burial within the grounds in 1922. The original name was the Northern Suburbs General Cemetery. The name was changed in 2004 with the introduction of the chapels and crematorium.)
Arthur Augustine Fahey was the third of three children born to Augustine James Fahey (1904-1981) and Florence Dorothea Jones (1904-1975). He was also known as “Art”.
Arthur was born on 8 April 1926 in Bankstown, NSW.
Arthur’s siblings at birth were:
Growing up at the family home at 160 Greenacre Road Greenacre, Arthur attended Bankstown Public School and ……………………….. School passing his Intermediate Certificate in 19XX.
After leaving school Arthur entered an apprenticeship as a bicycle mechanic at a local bicycle store, Smithson & Rees Cycle Manufacturers. At the time Jackie Johnston was a famous Australian cyclist. The signature bicycle manufactured was called a “Jay Jay”. In 1960 Arthur modified a Jay Jay – new spray job, tyres, brakes, handlebars and pedals) and presented it to his ten year old son Warren! This is a prized possession of Warren’s to this day!
On 3 May 1944 Arthur enlisted in the Australian Military Forcesat Area 53D in Bankstown. At the time he declared his details as:
- DOB: 8 April 1926;
- Age: 18 years 1 month 9 days;
- Status: Single;
- British subject;
- Height: 5ft 7½”;
- Junior Process Worker at Smithson & Rees Cycle Manufacturers;
- Single;
- Next of Kin: Augustine James Fahey (father);
- Address: 160 Greenacre Road Bankstown;
- Religion: Roman Catholic
- Educational qualification at secondary school – 2C; and
- Can drive: motor car, motor lorry, motor cycle.
Arthur’s Military Service commenced on 17 May 1944 when he “Marched in at Paddington NSW” and was “Taken on Holding Strength” in the 8 Australian Infantry Battalion with identification as “N.479349 Private Arthur Augustine Fahey”. His Army records also show that he was Medically assessed as ‘Fit for Class I’.
A summary taken from Arthur’s Army records may be viewed here.
Highlights of Arthur’s time in the Army included:
- Active Service within Australia 630 days
- Active Service outside Australia 359 days
- Total Active Service 989 days
- War Badge Number R.A.S. 368597
- 17 May 1944 Enlisted
- 12 July 1945 Embarked Brisbane
- 23 July 1945 Disembarked Bougainville
- 30 June 1946 Embarked Rabaul
- 5 July 1946 Disembarked Sydney
- 29 January 1947 Discharged
- Awarded: Pacific Star
Arthur's Virtual War Memorial Australian webpage may be accessed here.
Following discharge from the Army Arthur undertook a “Bridge and Wharf Carpentry” and from this he was employed in various capacities as a:
- Carpenter, including
- State Rail and based in Coniston, NSW;
- Port Moresby;
- Suspended Ceiling Fixer, including
- Merrylands RSL;
- Traffic Controller, including
- Macquarie University.
Arthur was a handsome man who, according to the photographs, appeared to really enjoy himself at social events including dances.
Arthur married Gwendoline Usher (29 December 1926 - 14 January 2009) on 17 July 1948 at St John’s Church, Campsie.
(NSW BDM 17617/1948)
Together they had two children:
- Warren John Fahey (1950); and
- Jo-Anne Ruth Fahey (1957) – deceased at birth.
Following his marriage to Gwen, Arthur lived at
- Cronulla;
- 24 Fitzroy Avenue Balmain (near the current Dawn Fraser Pool);
- Narrabeen (until the house slid down the hill);
- Bradfield Park (emergency housing); and
- North Ryde (1955-1985).
Attached is a photograph taken on 17 July 1948 at the wedding of Arthur Augustine Fahey to Gwendoline Usher with Augustine James Fahey and Florence Dorothea Fahey (nee Jones).
Attached is a photograph taken on 25 June 1955 at the wedding of John James Fahey to Joyce Edith Newman with (from Left to Right):
- Gwendoline Fahey (nee Usher);
- Augustine James Fahey;
- Joyce Edith Newman;
- John James Fahey;
- Florence Dorothea Fahey (nee Jones); and
- Norma Grace Keir (nee Fahey).
Additionally, in this photograph are Warren John Fahey (far left foreground) and Gaye Emily Keir (far right foreground).
Arthur’s life in his latter years was dominated by alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking – something more than likely acquired during his service in the Army.
In early April 1985 Arthur was admitted to Concord Hospital and lapsed into a coma. He was unaware that his only Grandchild, Ben-John Fahey, had just been born. Arthur passed away peacefully on 8 May 1985 without regaining consciousness.
(NSW BDM 11010/1985)
His body was created and his ashes placed in the War section in the Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens and Crematorium: East Terrace 1 Wall 4.
(Macquarie Park Cemetery and Crematorium is situated on 59 hectares of Crown land at intersection of Plassey and Delhi roads. It is owned by the New South Wales Government, administered by the Department of Primary Industries and managed by successive Boards of Trustees as a not-for-profit community service in perpetuity since the first burial within the grounds in 1922. The original name was the Northern Suburbs General Cemetery. The name was changed in 2004 with the introduction of the chapels and crematorium.)