Veteran spotlight: Arthur Leggo’s road to 100 years

By Tin Can Bay RSL Sub Branch Secretary Ross Carruthers

As part of our centenary celebrations, we are also recognising remarkable members who will celebrate their own 100-year milestones this year. Veterans like Arthur Leggo, who remind us of the enduring legacy of service, resilience and community that the RSL represents. 

It is Remembrance Day, and I spot Arthur sitting on the recently renovated back verandah of Tin Can Bay RSL Sub Branch with a cold drink in front of him. “How are you, Arthur?” I ask. “Any chance of a chat?” 

“Of course, Ross,” he replies, and we settle down for an enthralling 30 minutes of discussion about World War II and his lifetime of memories. What an amazing man. 

Enlisting against the odds 

Arthur Leggo was born in Sydney on 2 December 1925. As soon as he was able, he applied to enlist in the Australian Army in December 1943, during World War II. 

Arthur Leggo at the age of 18

However, it wasn’t as easy as it sounds. Arthur was employed as an assistant motor mechanic – an occupation that was, at the time, regarded as a protected industry.  

To enlist, he first had to secure approval from his boss and then from Manpower Australia. After significant effort and persistence, he gained those approvals and enlisted in January 1944. 

From Cowra to New Guinea 

Arthur completed his recruit training at Cowra in NSW. Towards the end of his training, the Cowra Breakout occurred, during which 1,104 Japanese prisoners of war (POWs) escaped from a nearby POW camp.  

It was the largest prison escape of WWII, and one of the bloodiest. Arthur played a role in locating and capturing escapees and later helped escort them to a new camp in Hay. 

He was subsequently sent to Canungra in Queensland, then shipped off to Wewak in New Guinea, where he joined the 2nd/4th Infantry Battalion. By then, the war was largely over, and Arthur participated in end-of-war mop-up operations out of Wewak and Rabaul.  

Arthur (in uniform) aged 21 with his brother Allen

Returning to Australia in 1945, he was promoted from Private to Sergeant and posted to Holsworthy Barracks and then Victoria Barracks in Sydney. He left the Army in 1946 to be with his girlfriend, who promptly dumped him – a rough welcome home for a young soldier. 

Arthur loved the camaraderie of the Army. He had four great mates in recruit training, and they reunited after his discharge. He valued the discipline and structure of military life, which made transitioning to civilian life challenging at first. 

A life shaped by service and love 

After the Army, Arthur spent a year as a truck driver, seeing the country, then worked as a roustabout with his Army mate Jim. While working near Tamworth, he met Doris, the hotel cook, who later became his wife. They had three children and remained married until her passing just three months before their 60th anniversary. 

Arthur became a member of Tin Can RSL Sub Branch in 1993 and will celebrate his 100th birthday on 2 December 2025

Arthur moved to Tin Can Bay in 1989 after retiring from a particleboard factory in Gympie. He first joined the RSL in 1946 and became a member of Tin Can Bay RSL Sub Branch in 1993. Arthur will celebrate his 100th birthday on 2 December 2025. 

Arthur’s advice to young people today is simple: ‘Join the services; it will set you up for life’. 

Well, Arthur, we all appreciate your advice and your service.