The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (227) Private James Thomas Carroll, 36th Battalion, 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 (227) Private James Thomas Carroll, 36th Battalion, first World War.

227 Private James Thomas Carroll, 36th Battalion
KIA 1 June 1917
Story delivered 30 August 2018

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private James Thomas Carroll.

Commonly known as “Jim”, James Carroll was born in 1892 to Thomas and Eliza Carroll of Tamworth, New South Wales. After attending school in Tamworth, he went on to work as a wheelwright.

James Carroll enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in March 1916. He underwent a period of training in Australia before leaving for active service overseas with the 36th Battalion on 13 May 1916. Private Carroll was first sent to England to continue his training, and from there to France to fight on the Western Front.

The 36th Battalion arrived on the Western Front just as the bitterly cold winter of 1916 and 1917 was closing in. The battalion spent most of the winter months rotating in and out of the front line. In early January the battalion was providing working parties to the front line when Private Carroll was shot in the neck. He refused to leave to get treatment, and remained on duty until his wounds healed.

On the 1st of June the battalion was in camp behind the line in Ploegsteert Wood in Belgium. It was preparing to move to Nieppe in preparation for participation in the Battle of Messines, due to be launched in less than a week. The wood came under severe German artillery fire during the day, causing several casualties.

One of those killed was Private Carroll. He was running for a shelter when a shell landed at his feet, killing him instantly. Private Ern White later recalled, “he was a few yards in the lead of another Tamworth lad and myself and we missed the effect of the shell.” Carroll’s remains were gathered together and buried later that day in the nearby Strand Military Cemetery. Today he lies there under the words “In loving memory of Jim, from Father, Mother, Sisters & Brother”.

Carroll’s lieutenant wrote, “Your son was with me ever since he joined, and there was no one in the platoon more conscientious, trustworthy and willing … He did his duty as a soldier and died for God and right. What more can anyone do?” Private James Carroll was 25 years old.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, among almost 62,000 Australians who died while serving in 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 James Thomas Carroll, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section