The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (1097) Private Clive Dobbin, 36th 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 Berrelle, the story for this day was on (1097) Private Clive Dobbin, 36th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

1097 Private Clive Dobbin, 36th Battalion, AIF
KIA 12 June 1917
No photograph in collection

Story delivered 14 September 2016

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Clive Dobbin.

Clive Dobbin was born in Lawrence, New South Wales, the son of Charles and Mary Dobbin. He attended the local public school and went on to become a labourer before enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force in January 1916. He was posted to D Company of the 36th Battalion.

Dobbin underwent a period of training in Australia before leaving Sydney on HMAT Beltana on 13 May 1916. He arrived in England in July, and underwent further training before joining the 36th Battalion on the Western Front in November 1916.

Dobbin had joined the 36th Battalion in France and Belgium during one of the coldest winters on record, which the battalion spent rotating in and out of the front line. In June 1917 the battalion participated in the battle of Messines, and three days after the battle began Dobbin was struck by a large fragment of artillery shell. He was taken to the Second Australian Casualty Clearing Station with severe wounds to his chest, arm, and back. Two days later he died of his wounds.

The Reverend G. Kennedy Tucker was with Dobbin when he died, and later buried him in a nearby cemetery. He wrote to Dobbin’s family in Australia:

he was very uncomplaining and was prepared to go should God be calling him. He asked me to write to you and give you his love and to tell you that he died happily … you will be glad to know that the passing was quite peaceful. You can be cheered by the thought that your brother did his duty and did it well.

Clive Dobbin was 25 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 Clive Dobbin, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Dr Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section