The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (2385) Private Thomas Henry Robertson 41st Battalion, AIF, 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 Gerard Pratt, the story for this day was on (2385) Private Thomas Henry Robertson 41st Battalion, AIF, First World War.

2385 Private Thomas Henry Robertson 41st Battalion, AIF
DOW 13 October 1917
No photograph in collection

Story delivered 13 October 2014

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Thomas Henry Robertson.

Thomas Henry Robertson was born in Barcaldine, Queensland, in 1895. He was working as a labourer in Barcaldine when the First World War began.

Robertson enlisted on 19 July 1916 at the recruiting office at Longreach. After being passed fit, he was allotted to the 4th reinforcements to the 41st battalion. He was sent to Brisbane where he joined the other reinforcements and began his initial training.

Robertson embarked from Brisbane with his unit aboard the transport ship Boonah in October 1916 and arrived in Plymouth the following January. He was sent to the 11th Training Battalion at Larkhill, where he underwent further training to prepare him for service on the Western Front.

In late April Robertson was sent to France, where he experienced the dreaded “bull ring” at taples. His stay there was brief, and he joined the 41st Battalion, which was in a rest position in France, in May. He was introduced to the front line at the start of June when the 41st Battalion went into the trenches near St Yves. The battalion provided carrying parties and played a supporting role to the 3rd Division’s successful attack at Messines only days later.

After enduring some nasty stints in the front line from June to August, the 41st Battalion took part in the successful attack on Broodseinde Ridge on 4 October, after which the battalion was withdrawn to Ypres for a rest.

On 11 October the battalion moved forward again, this time into support trenches, which in the main were mud- and water-logged shell holes. The following day the battalion was heavily shelled and Robertson was hit by shrapnel in his right leg, which also fractured one of his bones. He was evacuated to the 44th Casualty Clearing Station where, on 13 October, he died of his wounds. Robertson was laid to rest in the Nine Elms British Cemetery at Poperinghe. He was 22 years old.

Robertson’s name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, along with more than 60,000 others from the First World War.

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