The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (2927) Private Harrie Nathan Jemmett, 59th 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 (2927) Private Harrie Nathan Jemmett, 59th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

2927 Private Harrie Nathan Jemmett, 59th Battalion, AIF
Accidental (gun shot wound): 25 April 1919

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Harrie Nathan Jemmett.

Harrie Jemmett was born on 10 June 1892, the fifth of eight children born to Joseph and Harriet Jemmett near Tumut, New South Wales. After attending school at Adelong, he worked as a labourer and miner, and lived near Cootamundra.

Jemmett enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on the 16th of September 1916, sailing from Sydney for overseas service less than two months later as part of the reinforcements of the 59th Battalion. After a brief period of training in England, Jemmett sailed for France and the war on the Western Front.

He joined his unit for the first time as they were behind the lines in freezing conditions at Reincourt, north of the Somme River. Just two days later he moved with his unit to the front line trenches at Doignies, east of Bapaume and came under heavy German shrapnel artillery fire.

Many men found adjustment to military life and the horrors of trench warfare extremely difficult. On 11 April 1917, after just over a week at the front, Jemmett was hospitalised with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his left foot. His injuries had him stay in hospital for three months, and he was fined two weeks’ pay.
In July 1917, while at a base depot behind the lines, Jemmett was recorded as being absent without leave. He was not found until December, and in a court martial was sentenced to two years’ hard labour. Due to shortages in manpower at the time, however, his sentence was later suspended and he was again sent to the front.

After a brief period in hospital for illness, Jemmett joined his unit once more on 26 April 1918 when they were in action near the Somme River.

After less than a week, he was once again reported as being absent without leave, and after he was caught, he was returned to his battalion under escort in late July. Less than two weeks later, while awaiting trial, he escaped from his guard room and was yet again listed as absent without leave.

During this third period of absence the war came to an end. Jemmett turned himself in to the authorities on Boxing Day 1918 in London. Less than a week later he faced his second court martial for desertion, and was sentenced once again to two years’ hard labour.

In March 1919 Jemmett sailed from England for Australia to carry out his sentence.

On 25 April, Anzac Day 1919, Jemmett was one of eight prisoners placed on a train for escort from Melbourne to Sydney. The train left Melbourne at four in the afternoon, and at some point during their journey the prisoners were able to obtain several bottles of whiskey, which they drank to pass the time.

As the train passed through Tallarook, near Seymour to the north of Melbourne, the prisoners were heard plotting to overpower their guards and escape. They soon made their escape attempt, and attacked and nearly strangled one of their guards. In the fighting, Jemmett was seen trying to pick up a rifle lying nearby. In the ensuing struggle, one of the military police guards shot Jemmett in the chest with his pistol.

Jemmett died shortly afterwards from his wounds. He was 26 years old.

Harrie Jemmett is buried in the Cootamundra General Cemetery, where fourteen Australian servicemen of the First World War now lie.

Private Harrie Nathan Jemmett’s 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 Harrie Nathan Jemmett, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

David Sutton
Historian, Military History Section