The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (1952) Private Maurice Harrison, 14th 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 Charis May, the story for this day was on (1952) Private Maurice Harrison, 14th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

1952 Private Maurice Harrison, 14th Battalion, AIF
DOD 22 October 1918
No photograph in collection

Story delivered 31 August 2015

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Maurice Harrison.

Born in Euroa, Victoria, Harrison was working as a labourer in his hometown when he enlisted in January 1915.

The 33 year old was assigned to the 14th Battalion, which along with the 13th, 15th, and 16th Battalions formed the 4th Brigade commanded by Colonel John Monash.

Harrison left Australia on 17 April aboard HMAT Hororata, bound for Egypt and then Gallipoli. By the time he arrived on the peninsula, in late June, Harrison’s battalion had already established the Anzac front line and was heavily involved in defending it.

During the August Offensive on Gallipoli the 4th Brigade attacked Hill 971, the highest point of the Sari Bair Ridge. They took the position, but at great cost, and Turkish reinforcements ultimately forced the Australians to withdraw. At the end of the month the 14th Battalion suffered further heavy casualties when it was committed to the unsuccessful attack on Hill 60.

In early December Harrison became ill with bronchitis and was sent to hospital on Mudros, just weeks before the rest of the Australian, British, and dominion troops were successfully evacuated from Gallipoli. He was later transferred to Egypt, and after a lengthy convalescence he re-joined his unit in early April.

In June 1916 Harrison and his battalion sailed for France and the Western Front as part of the 4th Australian Division. From then until 1918 the battalion took part in bloody trench warfare. Its first major action in France was at Pozières in August 1916.

The battalion suffered heavy losses at Bullecourt in April 1917 when the 4th Brigade attacked strong German positions without the promised tank support. It spent much of the remainder of 1917 in Belgium, advancing to the Hindenburg Line.

Harrison made a name for himself on 16 October 1917 when his battalion was positioned near Broodseinde. Under heavy shell-fire and across difficult country he carried the wounded from the front line to the regimental aid post, working continuously during the night and remaining on duty the following day until he was ordered to rest. “His example to his comrades was inspiring”, said Major General Sinclair MacLagan, commander of the 4th Division. For his actions he was later awarded the military medal.

Harrison’s health again became an issue, and just days after his courageous action he was hospitalised. He was sent to England in November to recuperate, and did not return to his unit in France until mid-May 1918. In August another bout of illness sent him to hospital, and he did not return to the front lines. He died from measles and bronchopneumonia on 22 October 1918, aged 36.

The name of Private Harrison is listed here on the Roll of Honour on my right, among the more than 60,000 Australians who died during the First World War.

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

Emma Campbell
Writer, Military History Section