The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (2941B) Private Harry Broughton Moriarty 19th 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 Troy Clayton, the story for this day was on (2941B) Private Harry Broughton Moriarty 19th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

2941B Private Harry Broughton Moriarty 19th Battalion, AIF
KIA 3 May 1917
Photograph: H12607

Story delivered 7 November 2014

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Harry Broughton Moriarty. Harry Broughton Moriarty was born on 24 January 1898 in Queanbeyan, New South Wales, to Arthur and Norah Moriarty.

He grew up in Queanbeyan and attended the Monaro Grammar School at Cooma. Harry left school in 1915 and, as he was too young to enlist, gained employment as a clerk at the Western Branch of the Bank of New South Wales. In July 1915 he transferred to the bank’s branch at Yass.

Harry enlisted for service with the Australian Imperial Force at Goulburn on 22 May 1916, shortly after his 18th birthday, and was allotted to the 7th reinforcements to the 56th Battalion. He embarked from Sydney aboard the transport ship Ascanius that October along with other reinforcements.

After arriving in England at the end of the year, Moriarty was admitted to hospital with influenza. After spending nearly two weeks in hospital Moriarty returned to his training battalion and sailed for France at the end of February.

Moriarty found himself at Ètaples and was promoted to acting corporal. After three weeks at the depot, where he no doubt experienced the infamous “Bull Ring” training ground, he was transferred to the 19th Battalion and sent forward to join his new unit, and reverted to the rank of private.

In March Moriarty joined the 19th Battalion at Grévillers. His experienced his first battle soon after, when German forces attacked the town of Lagnicourt, capturing several other villages and Australian artillery batteries. The Germans withdrew in the face of a heavy Australian counter-attack and suffered heavy losses.

After a short break the battalion again moved up into the line, this time to take part in what became known as the Second Battle of Bullecourt. At 5.30 am on 3 May 1917, the battalion “hopped the bags” and went into the attack. Soon after, Moriarty was killed by a shell.

In the short space of time that he had been a member of the battalion, Moriarty’s personality had made him many friends and his loss was keenly felt. He was buried near where he fell, but his grave was lost as the battle raged on. He was 19 years old.

Today Moriarty’s name is commemorated on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux in France.

Moriarty’s name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, along with more than 60,000 others from the First World War and his photograph is displayed 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 Harry Broughton Moriarty, and all of those Australians who have given their lives in service of our nation.