The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (VX45223) Lieutenant Colonel William Taylor Owen, 39th Australian Infantry Battalion, 2nd AIF, Second 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 (VX45223) Lieutenant Colonel William Taylor Owen, 39th Australian Infantry Battalion, 2nd AIF, Second World War.

VX45223 Lieutenant Colonel William Taylor Owen, 39th Australian Infantry Battalion, 2nd AIF
KIA 29 July 1942
Photograph: P05414.001

Story delivered 21 July 2017

Today we pay tribute to Lieutenant Colonel William Taylor Owen.

William Owen was born on 27 May 1905 in Nagambie ,Victoria, to William and Ida Owen.

In the years before the war, he worked as a bank officer, and married Daisy Green.

Owen served with distinction in the militia, joining the Melbourne University Rifles in 1931 and attaining the rank of sergeant. In 1936 he moved on to the 29th/22nd Battalion, where he was promoted to captain in late 1939, and major in April 1940.

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 8 July 1940, at the age of 35, and was posted to the 2/22nd Infantry Battalion with the rank of major.

The 2/22nd arrived at Rabaul, the administrative centre of New Britain, in late April and combined with the local unit of the New Guinea Volunteer Rifles, and other Australian units, to form Lark Force. Lark Force spent the following months constructing defences and training for operation in a tropical environment. But it was ill-equipped and in no position to successfully defend its position against an enemy attack.

Japanese bombing of New Britain began in early January 1942, increasing in intensity as the month continued. By 22 January Lark Force had withdrawn from Rabaul, waiting on the western shores of Blanche Bay for the inevitable Japanese landings.

Owen’s “A” Company was positioned at Vulcan beach, and bore the brunt of the Japanese landing. After fighting for several hours, Owen ordered his men to break contact, as were in danger of being cut off. Lark Force was rapidly overwhelmed, and Colonel John Scanlan ordered a withdrawal on the basis of “every man for himself”.

Groups ranging from company-strength down to pairs and individuals, sought escape along the north and south coasts of New Britain. Some found small boats and got away on their own, others were picked up by larger vessels operating from New Guinea. Approximately 160 Australians captured by the Japanese while trying to escape were massacred at Tol Plantation; another 836 were interned as prisoners of war.

Owen and his men faced a harrowing battle for survival in the mountains and along the southern coast. They were among only 400 who managed to escape New Britain.

After recuperating in Australia, Owen was promoted to lieutenant colonel and assumed command of the 39th Battalion on the 7th of July 1942.

The 39th Battalion was preparing to deploy to the mountain village of Kokoda on Papua, and the first troops left the day after Owen assumed command. He was flown up, arriving as “B” Company was engaging the enemy.

Facing overwhelming odds, the Australians were pushed back. Owen ordered a retreat to Deniki, but when the Japanese did not occupy Kokoda, Owen led his men back to try to reopen its airfield to receive reinforcements and supplies. Two transport aircraft circled the field but, unsure if the Japanese were present, did not land. On the evening of 28 July the Japanese began attacking in force. The company of about 140 men attempted to hold their position against the advancing force, but at 3 a.m. the next morning, the Japanese stepped up their attack.

Owen was shot above the right eye. He was taken to a hut being used as an aid post and examined by Captain Geoffrey “Doc” Vernon. His condition was grim. With their commander mortally wounded, the enemy at their flank, and coming under accurate artillery fire, the Australian line collapsed. The troops were forced to withdraw. Owen could not be moved. He was cleaned up and left as comfortable as possible.

On 9 August, when members of “A” Company of the 39th Battalion retook Kokoda for a few days, Owen’s body was found and buried in the vicinity of “the Graham’s House” at Kokoda. His body was later reburied at Bomana War Cemetery near Port Moresby.

Owen was posthumously Mentioned in Despatches, and received the United States Distinguished Service Cross for his “extraordinary heroism in action near Kokoda”, the first Australian to receive this award.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my left, among some 40,000 Australians who died while serving in the Second World War.

This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Lieutenant Colonel William Taylor Owen, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Duncan Beard
Editor, Military History Section