The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (1884a) Private Matthew James Brophy, 21st 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 Craig Berelle, the story for this day was on (1884a) Private Matthew James Brophy, 21st Battalion, AIF, First world War.

1884a Private Matthew James Brophy, 21st Battalion, AIF
KIA 26 August 1916
No photograph in collection

Story delivered 26 August 2016

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Matthew James Brophy.

Matthew Brophy was born in 1896 in Yarraville, Victoria, to Thomas and Maria Brophy. His father was the licensee of the Victoria Hotel in Epping. He grew up in the area and went on to become a labourer in the district.

Brophy was the first of three brothers to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force, and did so in June 1915 with his parents’ consent. He underwent a brief period of training in Australia before being sent to Egypt, where he transferred to the 21st Battalion, joining his brother Jack. As the pair continued training, Jack wrote home to say, “I shall certainly be a land owner when I return, as I think I have about three acres of sand in me already.” The brothers were soon sent to France, arriving in March 1916.

The 21st Battalion’s first major action on the Western Front came near the French village of Pozières. More often employed to carry supplies and ammunition to the front lines, the men worked under some of the heaviest artillery fire of the war, and heavy casualties were incurred.

On 26 August 1916 the 21st Battalion attacked the German lines near Mouquet Farm. They came across heavy resistance from enemy strong points. Reinforcements were sent forward to no avail, and the attack failed.

Both Matthew and Jack Brophy were wounded during the initial charge. They were helping each other to a dressing station when the artillery fire became too intense for them to continue. Instead, they helped each other to a nearby shell hole when Matthew was shot through the head, falling
dead at his brother’s feet. Jack, dazed from his own wounds, was led away, and his brother’s body was lost in the subsequent fighting. Private Matthew Brophy has no known grave, and instead is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial to the Missing.

In Australia his death was reported in the local newspaper. The article read, “everyone who had met Matt Brophy will regret his untimely end, as his careless, frank manner and his lovable disposition won their hearts”.

Private Brophy was 20 years old. His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, among 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 Matthew James Brophy, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Dr Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section