The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (13255) Private Arthur John Aston, 12th Field Ambulance AAMC, 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 Craig Berelle, the story for this day was on (13255) Private Arthur John Aston, 12th Field Ambulance AAMC, First World War.

13255 Private Arthur John Aston, 12th Field Ambulance AAMC
DOW 10 June 1917
No photograph in collection

Story delivered 8 April 2014

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Arthur John Aston.

Arthur Aston was born in St Kilda, Melbourne, and worked as a printer. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in July 1915 at the age of 24. After a period of training in Australia he was assigned to the 12th Field Ambulance and sent to Egypt. Further training followed in Egypt, until Aston finally arrived in France in June 1916.

Little is known of Aston's service. He was with the 12th Field Ambulance from the time he arrived in France until the time he was wounded in action almost exactly a year later. He was charged with no crimes, nor did he receive any specific commendation. Stretcher-bearers performed some of the most daring feats of the war in retrieving wounded men from the field, and were a lifeline for many. Aston was one of thousands of Australians who served quietly and inconspicuously, and who gave their lives in the process.

In June 1917 Aston became a casualty himself. On 8 June 1917 he was admitted to the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station where it was stationed near Bailleul in France. He had been shot in the legs, arms, and abdomen, presumably while working to retrieve other wounded men from the field. The Adjutant of the Casualty Clearing Station reported:

he was taken to the ward set aside for abdominal cases and his wounds examined by the surgeons, who decided to operate after he had been revived and recovered from the shock. After the operation his condition was decidedly improved and hope was held for his recovery, but on the 9th his strength gradually began to fail him in spite of the efforts of both surgeons and sisters. He became rapidly worse and I regret to say passed away on the morning of the 10th of June.

Arthur Aston was buried in the Bailleul Military Cemetery by a chaplain attached to the hospital. He was just 26 years old.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, along with around more than 60,000 others from the First World War. There is no photograph in the collection to display beside the 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 Private Arthur John Aston, and all of those Australians who have given their lives in the service of our nation.