The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (NX166451) Craftsman Hilton Sylvester Bourke, Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Second 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 Joanne Smedley, the story for this day was on (NX166451) Craftsman Hilton Sylvester Bourke, Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Second World War.

NX166451 Craftsman Hilton Sylvester Bourke, Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
DOD 27 November 1945
No photograph in collection

Story delivered 10 March 2014

Today we remember and pay tribute to Craftsman Hilton Sylvester Bourke.

Born in Adaminaby in New South Wales in 1906, Bourke and his family moved when he was four to the area that would soon become known as Canberra. He attended school in Queanbeyan.

Bourke was a talented local football player and was part of the team that won the Canberra Rugby League premiership 13 consecutive times. Given the nickname "Tiger" for his sporting personality and prowess, he was also selected to try out for the Australian Rugby League team.

In 1934 Bourke married Myrtle Mundy, and they had four children. He worked in a variety of jobs and was entrepreneurial: he won the contract to plant trees in Canberra, and also sold fish he had caught to local restaurants.

After the Pacific War began, Bourke served with the Militia from January 1942. He undertook a blacksmiths' course as part of his training. In April 1943 he enlisted with the AIF and joined the 1st Australian Infantry Troops Workshop, which was part of the corps of Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. They had responsibility for the maintenance and recovery of all land electrical and mechanical equipment.

Bourke struggled with his health throughout his service, and was frequently in hospital or convalescing. He embarked for New Britain in November 1944, but his health continued to deteriorate and he was evacuated to Australia in October 1945.

Bourke died of carcinoma of the stomach on 27 November 1945, and was buried in the Sydney War Cemetery. In 1946 a testimonial football match was held in Queanbeyan to honour "Tiger" Bourke. The money raised through admission to the game was donated to his widow.

Bourke's name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my left, along with around 40,000 others from the Second World War and his photograph is displayed beside this Pool of Reflection.

This is but one of the many stories of courage and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Craftsman Hilton Bourke and all of those Australians who have given their lives in service of our nation.