MOUNT Gambier has lost one of its community treasures following the death of World War II veteran and renowned photographer Eric Arthur OAM.
Mr Arthur died peacefully in Mount Gambier on Tuesday, aged 96.
The decorated war veteran was awarded the Legion of Honour with the rank of Chevalier (Knight) by French Government in 2016.
Mr Arthur – who received the highest award France bestowed for civilian or military service – navigated a “Pathfinder” Mosquito bomber for the RAF’s 627 Squadron.
Demonstrating immense bravery and skill, the Pathfinder Force conducted low-level attacks on targets in Nazi-occupied Europe between D-Day and the end of World War II.
The talented flying officer – who was one only a handful of World War II veterans remaining in Mount Gambier – took part in a staggering 44 flying operations in just one year.
Mr Arthur has also been remembered for his significant contribution to capturing Mount Gambier’s history through the lens.
In an extraordinary gift, Mr Arthur donated his entire collection – more than 6500 photographs – to the State Library of South Australia.
His most famous photograph was taken when he was assigned to document the Queen during her tour of the Blue Lake in 1954, which was shown around the world.
In fact, Mr Arthur’s photographs would be hanging on walls or displayed on mantle pieces across thousands of homes across the region.
Mr Arthur’s son Alan Arthur yesterday paid tribute to his father, who he described was a devoted family man who loved his community.
“The war shocked him in its brutality and inhumanity. After the war he was determined to do everything he could to promote peace and harmony between different people and cultures,” Alan said.
“He tried to do this through Rotary and Scouts and through the exchange student program.
“It was really important to him that we did not have war again like that one.”
Alan revealed he once asked his father what he could do to thank him and his fellow veterans for their war service.
“He said the only ‘thanks I want is for you to be a good citizen’,” Alan recalled.
Alan also paid tribute to his mother Evelyn, who was the “love of his father’s life”.
“My father told me that Evelyn was the best thing that came out the war. If it had not been for the war, they would have never met,” Alan said.
“The meeting was a sliding door moment – a chance meeting. They were an incredible team.”
Mount Gambier Community RSL president Bob Sandow said yesterday Mr Arthur would leave a long legacy across the community.
“Mr Arthur was a tremendous supporter of the community, the airmen’s association and attended many of the RSL functions,” Mr Sandow said.
He said Mr Arthur embodied “all the values and traditions” of the RSL and he would be greatly missed.
Mr Arthur was born in Mount Gambier and was the son of well-known photographer Garnet Arthur.
As a young adult he had wanted to join the Air Force like his brother Colin but after his brother died in a training accident in Canada his parents refused permission for him to join.
Given he was under 21, a young Eric was forced to join the army and perform locally based tasks.
Eventually with his parents’ consent, Mr Arthur travelled to Melbourne to enlist in the Air Force just after his 20th birthday.
Following the end of the war, Mr Arthur worked at a photography studio in London until he was repatriated to Australia.
On October 17, 1945, the Arthur family was waiting in Melbourne to welcome Eric home with a banner saying: “Eric Arthur – You Beaut, Here We Are”.
This iconic family moment was captured with a special photograph.
Returning to Mount Gambier, Mr Arthur – who initially harboured aspirations of becoming an architect – joined his father’s photography studio that was aptly renamed Arthur and Son Studio.
After running the prominent studio for 45 years, Mr Arthur retired and in 2005 donated his entire collection to the state library.
Mr Arthur was also a recipient of the Order of Australia Medal for his 60 year service to the community.
The well known community identity was involved with the Legacy, Trees for Life, Meals on Wheels, Mount Gambier Community RSL and was a veteran of the Rotary Club of Mount Gambier and the Scout movement.
Mr Arthur has also left a long and lasting legacy in terms of the city’s infrastructure footprint.
During his time with Rotary, he was involved in the building of Mount Gambier’s first swimming pool, the construction of the Blue Lake look-outs and establishing the Rotary market.
A reserve near the Blue Lake was named after Mr Arthur given he was involved in the mass planting of trees in the crater lakes area.
A private funeral has been planned.
