Private Arthur Starkey

Ancestor Details

Name of Ancestor: Arthur Eli Starkey
Ancestor's date of birth: 30/03/1880
Ancestor's date of death: 22/09/1953
Cause of Death: Cancer
Service Number: 82
Colony or State of enlistment: VIC, Place of Enlistment: Ballarat
Unit: 1^st Victorian Infantry Company
Rank attained in Boer War: PTE, Date Effective: On enlistment
Highest Rank attained (if served after war): No evidence of post Boer War promotion.
Murray Page: 227
Contingent: First Victorian
Ship: Medic, Date of Sailing: 28/10/1899
Memorial details: VMR Memorial, Melbourne (Inf Coy was mounted and incorporated into the VMR when it arrived in South Africa)
Decorations: Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM), Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps: Belfast, Diamond Hill, Johannesburg, Orange Free State and Cape Colony.
Personal Characteristics: Very brave soldier.
Reasons to go and fight: Detail not provided.
Details of service in war: Pte Starkey fought in the following engagements: Belfast, Diamond Hill, Johannesburg, Orange Free State and Cape Colony. He received his DCM for bravery, becoming one of the first Australian soldiers to be decorated in war.
Service and life after the Boer War: Returned to Australia 4 December 1900 on Harlech Castle. The reception given for Pte Starkey on his return from South Africa by the citizens of Ballarat was one of patriotism, enthusiasm and celebration. He was selected as a member of the Australian Contingent to attend the coronation of King Edward V11 in 1901. On return home he became a Mounted Police Officer on the Victorian high plains. He was also stationed on the Murray River, and then later in Melbourne and outer mining towns. The DCM is now on display in the Australian War Museum, together with an illuminated address which was presented to him by the people of Ballarat on his return from South Africa.
The Starkey family has had a long history of involvement in the Australian services. His son C A R Starkey was adjutant/QM of 2/8 Commando Squadron then 'C' Troop Commander in World War 2. He later served at RMC Duntroon until his retirement in 1964. His Great Grandson Arthur A Starkey Served 30 years in the RAAF and is currently on the Active Reserve at RAAF Base Edinburgh

Descendant Details

Name of Descendant: Graham G. Watson, Upper Coomera QLD
Relationship to Ancestor: Grandson
Name of Descendant: Dale Arthur Watson, Camp Hill QLD
Relationship to Ancestor: Grandson
Name of Descendant: Arthur A Starkey, Craigmore SA
Relationship to Ancestor: G Great Grandson

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