The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (3165) Private Arthur Horton, 49th 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 Robyn Siers, the story for this day was on (3165) Private Arthur Horton, 49th Battalion, First World War.

3165 Private Arthur Horton, 49th Battalion
KIA 12 August 1918
No photograph in collection

Story delivered 7 May 2014

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Arthur Horton.

Arthur Horton was a 38-year-old bachelor from the Clifton area of Queensland when he left his farm and enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force. He left Australia for training in England in December 1916 with the 52nd Battalion.

While in Codford Camp he had a serious bout of the mumps, but eventually made it to France in July 1917 to fight on the Western Front. In April 1918 the 52nd Battalion was one of a number of Australian units instrumental in slowing the German advance during their great offensive of that year. Near the French village of Villers-Bretonneux Horton was hit while trying to keep the Germans from the Amiens railhead. He went to hospital with a shrapnel wound to his eye and a gunshot wound to his neck.

One month later, having fully recovered, Horton transferred to the 49th Battalion. He would be with this battalion for just three months. On 12 August the 49th Battalion was following up the gains made during the great battle of Amiens, known as the black day of the German army. They were near the French village of Bray on a fine, warm day when the Germans counter-attacked. While no specific information remains as to the manner of Arthur Horton's death, it is likely he was killed in this action.

Horton was sadly missed in the Clifton farming community. The Queensland Farmers' Union offered their condolences to his father.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, along with more than 60,000 others from the First World War. There is no photograph in the Memorial's 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 Herbert Arthur Horton, and all of those Australians who have given their lives in the service of our nation.