The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of Private Kenneth Rawie Drew 2/22nd Battalion, Second World War

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial every 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 Craig Berelle the story for this day was on Private Kenneth Rawie Drew 2/22nd Battalion, Second World War.

Private Kenneth Rawie Drew
Image accession number: P07357.002
Roll of Honour panel number: SWW 48

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Kenneth Rawie Drew of the 2/22nd Battalion, Australian Army.

Born the second of five sons to Richard and Hilda Drew, Ken was a keen cricketer and Australian Rules footballer. Also a talented musician, Ken joined the Brunswick Salvation Army Band and in 1940, enlisted with the 2/22nd Battalion Regimental Band with 23 other Salvation Army Band members. Many religious men like Ken, signed up as musicians to serve their country and help as stretcher bearers.

Following the Japanese invasion of Rabaul in January 1942, Ken, along with many members of the 2/22nd Battalion were taken prisoner.

On the 22nd June 1942, Ken and hundreds of civilians and military prisoners were transported from Rabaul in the Montevideo Maru. Unaware the ship was transporting allied prisoners, an American submarine torpedoed the vessel on the 1st July. Tragically, all of the Australian prisoners, including Kenneth Drew, died. Only one of the 24 band members in the 2/22nd Battalion survived the Second World War.

Unfortunately, despite efforts made by both the International Red Cross and the Australian government, the families of these men did not know the fate of their sons until October 1945. Until the sad news arrived, Ken’s parents held out hope for his survival. In a poem for his missing son, Ken’s father Richard, wrote:

‘….. Keep brave my boy in days of gloom,
There are brighter days far ahead,
You’ll return to a land worth fighting for,
A home where God’s word is read….’

Ken’s parents held an annual reunion for families and friends of the missing bandsmen from 1942 till after the war, when their fate was finally known.

On 1 July 2012, a new memorial was opened here marking the 70th anniversary of the sinking of the Montevideo Maru. It commemorates those Australians who died in the defence of Rabaul, and those who later died as prisoners in the sinking of the Montevideo Maru. At the dedication ceremony, a Salvation Army band performed a new composition in memory of their lost band.

Many floral tributes and photographs were left by family and friends at the new memorial; many were dedicated to Kenneth Drew. Kenneth is remembered by his two surviving brothers and their families.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on your right, along with around 40,000 others from the Second World War, and his photograph is displayed today beside the Pool of Reflection.

This is one of the many stories of courage and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Private Kenneth Rawie Drew and all of those Australians who have given their lives in service of our nation.