HARBECK, Arthur Percival

Arthur Percival Harbeck was one of three brothers from Lakes Entrance who enlisted to fight in the Great War.  Arthur was 22 years old and working as a salesman. He enlisted at Eastern Hill and gave his home address as 26 Berry St., East Melbourne. Like his brothers, he nominated his father, Peter Harbeck, a general merchant who owned the Federal Stores in Cunningham, Victoria, as his next of kin. This was later changed to his mother, Fanny Harbeck, folowing Mr. Harbeck's death in 1917.

He joined the 6th Battalion, E Company, recruited from Victoria. After training, the 6th Battalion embarked from Melbourne on board the HMAT 'Hororata', stopping at Albany, Western Australia, before heading to Egypt. From here, they landed at Gallipoli, becoming engaged in the defence of Anzac Cove. Arthur Harbeck was struck by shrapnel received in action at Gallipoli on 14 May, 1915. He was eveactuated to a hospital ship with a head wound and fractured skull. From Gallipoli, he was sent to Malta  and died in St Andrew's Hospital, aged 23, on 22 May, 1915. He ws buried on 24 May at Pembroke Cemetery. He is remembered on Panel 131 ofthe Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial.

His brother, Sergeant Albert Roy Harbeck, 39th Battalion, also died in action, aged 23, on 1 May, 1917. He was hit in the back by a shell after emerging from his trench at Ploegsteert Wood in Belgium. He is buried at the Strand Cemetery and remembered on Panel 131 Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial.Witness staements said that he died immediately. The third brother, Lieutenant Reginald Peter Harbeck, served from 1914-1919 in the 2nd Signals Squadron, and was returned to Melbourne.