Arnold Wienholt

Arnold Wienholt (25 November 1877 – 10 September 1940) was an Australian grazier, soldier, author and politician. He was a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly and a Member of the Australian House of Representatives.

Early life Arnold Wienholt was born on 25 November 1877 at Goomburra, Queensland, the son of Edward Wienholt (a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly) and his wife Ellen (née Williams) and nephew of Arnold Wienholt Sr. He was educated in England at Wixenford School and Eton College before returning to Australia as a grazier on the Darling Downs. In 1908 he become the manager of the Wienholt Estates Company of Australiaisa Ltd and was responsible for all the firms properties in Queensland including Jondaryan Homestead and Fassifern Homestead and served in South Africa and was promoted to sergeant, and returned to Brisbane on the 10th August 1901 In 1916, he enlisted with the East African Mounted Rifles Then joined the East Africa Intelligence Department, he was promoted to Warrant Officer 1st Class. In June 1916, while leading a patrol in German East Africa, he was wounded and taken prisoner for six months until he escaped in January 1917 and marched 15 days to get back to British territory and was awarded a Military Cross.

Military Cross citation reads:

' For conspicuous gallantry and endurance as leader of a patrol. The patrol covered some 200 odd miles of the most difficult country and obtained valuable information. He was subsequently separated from his patrol, severely wounded and captured by the enemy. He ultimately escaped, and made his way back to our lines across 100 miles of unknown bush.' In 1919, he was elected to the Australian House of Representatives as the Nationalist member for Moreton; he was also endorsed by the Primary Producers Union, effectively the Queensland state Country Party. Although sympathetic to the Country Party, formed in 1920, he remained a Nationalist, although the Country Party often received his support. He retired in 1922. In 1930 he returned to the Queensland Legislative Assembly as the member for Fassifern, where he remained until 1935.

Second Italo-Ethiopian War Wienholt become a war correspondent for the Brisbane Courier Mail in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia in 1935. He joined the Military Mission 101 unit in Ethiopia, part of the Gideon Force, as their Mission Intelligence Officer, he led the third Operational Centre across the border. Awarded 1939-1945 Star, Africa Star and War Medal.

Memorialised He is memorialised at the Khartoum Memorial - listed on Panel 2 (final resting place unknown). Brisbane Queensland Parliament War Service Honour Board. Commemorative Roll at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Wienholt Street in Sherwood, Brisbane, was created as an Avenue of Honour.

Published works

— available online