The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (2613) Private William Clifford McMaster, 33rd 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 Sharon Bown, the story for this day was on (2613) Private William Clifford McMaster, 33rd Battalion, AIF, First World War.

2613 Private William Clifford McMaster, 33rd Battalion, AIF
Killed in action 10 June 1917

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private William Clifford McMaster.

William McMaster was born on 25 October 1893 in Boomi, a town in north-western New South Wales, the son of Hugh and Charlotte McMaster. Known to family and friends as “Cliff”, he attended Boomi Public School, and went on to work with his brother Henry, shearing and contracting in Boomi.

The brothers enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force together on 24 July 1916. The pair would train together, travel together, and ultimately fight together on the Western Front.

The two first entered camp at Narrabri, before moving to Armidale towards the end of month.

William was admitted to hospital with mumps in September 1916, but left hospital within a fortnight. He was reprimanded for overstaying his final leave by four days and suffered a financial penalty for this infraction.
In early September, the McMaster brothers were allotted to the 5th reinforcements to the 33rd Battalion.

Embarking at Sydney on 17 November, they arrived in England, and by late January had joined the 9th Training Battalion.

After further training, the brothers went to France in early April 1917, and were taken on strength of the 33rd Battalion late in the month.

The battalion had been occupying a section of the line around Armentieres, a “nursery sector” where the men were introduced to life on the European battlefield. Although the battalion gained some experience of combat, its first major battle did not come until mid-1917, by which time the focus of British operations had shifted to the Ypres sector in Belgium.

This first battle came at Messines when 33rd Battalion was among those leading the 3rd Division's assault. After a number of mines had been exploded in front of their positions, the assault began.

The 33rd went in near Ploegsteert Wood, after being chosen especially for the position due to its danger. Despite suffering around 200 casualties from allied gas-shells that had dropped short, the battalion went over the top at the appointed time and secured their objective. After the battle, the battalion remained at the front, holding the ground they had gained, and enduring almost constant shelling.
But even success came at a terrible cost. The battalion’s casualties in this battle amounted to 92 killed in action or died of wounds, and 260 wounded; the heaviest losses they would suffer during thewar.

Among the dead was William McMaster, who had fallen in action on the 10th of June. He was 23 years old.
While there is no way to confirm the family legend that William’s brother Henry was beside him when he was killed, we do know that the task of sharing the news of William’s death fell to his brother. Not long after the battle, Henry sent a telegram cable home to Boomi that read: “Please tell mother Cliff killed in action”.

After being wounded in 1918, Henry survived to return to Boomi after the war, and re-enlisted for service at the outbreak of the Second World War.

Today, William McMasters remains lie buried in Toronto Avenue Cemetery in Belgium, a site visited by family members. His photo is on display in the Boomi Memorial Hall, and he is commemorated at Moree Anzac Centenary Memorial Park.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, among more than 60,000 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 William Clifford McMaster, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Duncan Beard
Editor, Military History Section