PRIVATE William Arthur Mobbs volunteered to serve Australia in two world wars, but for 66 years after his death, his grave at Cleveland Cemetery went unmarked.
On November 6, his descendants gathered at the cemetery to unveil a military headstone made possible by locals who met a fundraising target within hours.
The Australian Remembrance Army brought Private Mobbs’ story to the attention of Federal Member for Bowman Henry Pike, who launched the Redlands Remembers appeal earlier this year.
A Federal grant contributed towards the headstone with local donations covering the remaining cost of making and installing it.
Redlands RSL Sub-Branch president Rob Wilson read out Private Mobbs’ service record, tracing his journey from the 5th Light Horse to the Western Front.
Private Mobbs enlisted in January 1916 and sailed for the Middle East that April.
He then transferred to artillery after arriving in Egypt and went on to serve with the 3rd Division Ammunition Column on the Western Front. He returned to Australia in 1919 and received the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In September 1940 at age 49, Private Mobbs volunteered again serving with the 1st Garrison Battalion until his discharge in August 1941.
He died in June 1960, aged 69.
Australian Remembrance Army co-founder Kate Walker said the volunteer group researches burial records, traces military service and reconnects with families.
She said the group had helped mark the graves of more than 800 First World War veterans at Brisbane’s Lutwyche Cemetery alone.
“Behind every one of these graves is a person, a family, and a story worth remembering,” Ms Walker said.
Several generations of Private Mobbs’ family attended the ceremony, including his granddaughter Tricia Wilson and grandson Graham Waters.
