The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (1481) Private William Benjamin Jenkins, 14th 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 (1481) Private William Benjamin Jenkins, 14th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

1481 Private William Benjamin Jenkins, 14th Battalion, AIF
Died of Disease 29 August 1916

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private William Benjamin Jenkins.

William Jenkins, known as “Bill”, was born in 1882, the eldest son of William and Mary Jenkins of Echuca, Victoria. He was educated at the Echuca State School, and went on to work as a labourer in the Kyabram district.

When war broke out in August 1914, Bill Jenkins decided to enlist. It was reported that he had been “reading of the cruelty of the Huns to women and children, [and so he] made up his mind that he would go and do his bit to avenge their wrongs.” Although one of the first to volunteer at Echuca, Bill was initially not successful due to problems with his teeth. He immediately sought medical treatment, and in late September 1914 he was accepted for active service.

Private Bill Jenkins underwent a period of training in Australia before leaving for active service overseas with reinforcements to the 14th Battalion on board the troopship Clan McGillivray. He was first sent to Egypt, where he came down with the flu and had to be hospitalised for a short period. From there he was sent to Gallipoli.

The exact date Private Bill Jenkins arrived on Gallipoli was not recorded. He was on the peninsula by August 1915. His best mate, Private A.E. Dudley, described how, “on the 8th August we went through a big charge together, and got through alright, and another on the 21st.” Bill wrote to his brother after the first charge saying, “I may be able to come back to Australia safe and sound, but I will not be able to tell the tale of this war, as it is too dreadful to speak of.”

Towards the end of August, Jenkins wrote, “Dudley and myself are still alive and kicking. They had me on last night digging and burying the dead comrades, Australian heroes that had given up their lives for the dear old home and country… This is all the news I can tell you as it cuts our hearts when we see our comrade[s] dying before our eyes.”

For much of his time on Gallipoli, Bill Jenkins was suffering from dysentery. On 17 August he wrote, “I have been very bad with dysentery for the last four weeks now, and still fighting my way at the front with the boys, so that means that I will not give in until I am forced to, and I am determined to go right through until the Turks drop me with a bullet like the rest of the brave fourteenth [battalion].” Weeks later he was complaining of cramps on his left side, and writing home to say that the doctors were unable to help.

Later, Private Bill Jenkins was rumoured to have been taken prisoner. How this report surfaced is hard to say, but his parents were notified in Australia by letters from Bill’s mates on Gallipoli. In late September 1915 military authorities, too, reported that they had records to say that Jenkins was “unofficially reported a prisoner of war, previously reported missing”.

Those reports were incorrect. Bill Jenkins had been overcome by the dysentery. Although he had sought treatment for the disease, he had continued to hold the front line, conduct two major operations, and spend at least one night out digging graves while sick. On 27 August his determination could sustain him no longer, and he was taken to a nearby field ambulance. There was little hope of recovery, and two days later he died.

Private Dudley wrote to Bill’s parents to tell them how their son died. He wrote, “your son was never a prisoner … he died very suddenly on the 29th August. He fought hard and bravely for his country, and died a very easy death. He was given a proper burial, close to the sea. I was very sorry to hear of his death, for he was a brave comrade and my best mate … I miss my dear mate very much.”

Private Bill Jenkins’s grave was lost after the evacuation, and today he is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial. He was 33 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 William Benjamin Jenkins, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section