The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (7770) Private Vincent Mahboub, 35th 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 Richard Cruise, the story for this day was on (7770) Private Vincent Mahboub, 35th Battalion, AIF, First World War.


The recording for this Ceremony is damaged and not suitable for release to public.

7770 Private Vincent Mahboub, 35th Battalion, AIF
KIA 8 August 1918
Photograph: H06564

Story delivered 15 April 2016

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Vincent Mahboub.

Vincent Mahboub was born to Michael and Rosie Mahboub in Beichrie, Syria, but came to Australia with his parents when he was five months old. His father conducted a general store in Excelsior, New South Wales, and later in Capertee. Vincent’s parents were devout Maronite Catholics, and were active members of many church organisations, donating generously to charity.

Vincent attended the Convent School in Lithgow and became a shop assistant to his father. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 19 June 1917, a year after applying to become a naturalised Australian, and six months after his 18th birthday. However, within a month he became ill and had to spend time receiving treatment at a hospital on Milson Island. He finally left Australia with reinforcements to the 35th Battalion in February 1918.

Private Mahboub was a popular member of his battalion, and during the journey to England he participated in boxing tournaments on board the troopship. After a period of training he was sent to join his battalion in the trenches of the Western Front in July 1918.

A little over a week later, on 8 August, the 35th Battalion was preparing to attack near the French village of Le Hamel, which had been captured by Australians a little over a month before. At 1 am the men were given hot cocoa before marching out to the assembly area. At 4.20 am the battalion attacked as a small part of a much wider operation, known as the battle of Amiens. Nearly two and a half hours later the advanced parties of the battalion had reached their objective and were digging in.

Private Mahboub was killed shortly after the operation went ahead. Some reports say he was killed by shell-fire, others by a machine-gun. The reports agree that he probably died instantly. He was buried in a battlefield grave nearby, and was later re-interred in Heath Cemetery in France. He was 19 years old.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, among more than 60,000 Australians who died during the First World War. His photograph is displayed today beside the Pool of Reflection.

This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Private Vincent Mahboub, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Dr Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section