The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (1055) Corporal Arnold Harry Leane, 27 Battalion, First World War

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Richard Cruise, the story for this day was on (1055) Corporal Arnold Harry Leane, 27 Battalion, First World War.

1055 Corporal Arnold Harry Leane, 27th Battalion, AIF
KIA 5 November 1916
Photograph: H12530

Story delivered 7 February 2014

Today we remember and pay tribute to Corporal Arnold Harry Leane.

Leane was born on 26 January 1896 to Ernest and Martha Leane at Port Lincoln, South Australia. He attended Nailsworth Public School after which he worked as a driver. He was also involved with his local church community.

He enlisted for service in the AIF at Keswick on 21 May 1915 and joined the 27th Battalion, which had been raised in March that year. Leane was one of the famous "Fighting Leanes of Prospect". He was the 11th family member to enlist, joining his father, brother, four uncles, and four cousins in uniform. All eligible men in the Leane family had offered their services and were accepted.

He embarked for service overseas from Outer Harbour at the end of May aboard the transport ship Geelong, arriving in Egypt in July. After several months of training, the 27th Battalion, including Leane, landed on Gallipoli on 12 September and remained on the peninsula until the Australian forces withdrew in December. After a brief return to Egpyt the battalion embarked for service on the Western Front.

Following an initial period of front-line service in the Nursery Sector, the battalion moved to the Somme to take part in the battle for the village of Pozières. Leane was promoted to lance corporal during the battle and to corporal only days later. He survived, but the battalion suffered heavy casualties and moved to a quieter sector in Belgium where it was reinforced.

In October the 27th Battalion returned to the Somme and on 5 November attacked towards Flers. Early on in the battle Leane was wounded. He was being stretchered from the battlefield when he was hit again by shrapnel and killed instantly.

He was buried near Gueudecourt, but his grave was lost in the subsequent fighting. After the war his name was placed on the Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux, France.

Leane's name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, along with more than 60,000 others from the First World War. His photograph is displayed today beside the Pool of Reflection.

This is but one of the many stories of courage and sacrifice told here at theAustralian War Memorial. We now remember Corporal Arnold Harry Leane, and all of those Australians who have given their lives in service of our nation.