The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (3756) Private Michael Thomas Galvin, 4th 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 Meredith Duncan, the story for this day was on (3756) Private Michael Thomas Galvin, 4th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

3756 Private Michael Thomas Galvin, 4th Battalion, AIF
DOW 25 July 1916
No photograph in collection

Story delivered 25 July 2016

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Michael Thomas Galvin.

Michael Galvin was born on 19 September 1889 to Michael and Mary Galvin of Waterloo, Sydney. He attended local Catholic schools, and went on to become a labourer, working in carting and delivery.

Galvin enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in August 1915. A little over six weeks later he married Olivia Ansaldo. They spent very little time together as husband and wife, as Galvin returned to training and shortly afterwards left Australia for overseas service with the 4th Battalion.

Private Galvin was first sent to Egypt, where the AIF was undergoing a period of reorganisation following the evacuation from Gallipoli. From there he was sent to France to serve on the Western Front. Shortly after his arrival in France he sprained his ankle and spent two weeks in hospital, re-joining his battalion in mid-May.

On 23 July 1916 the 4th Battalion participated in the Australian assault on the French village of Pozières. Under heavy shell-fire the 4th Battalion helped capture the strongpoint of Gibraltar before moving on to secure the southern part of the village. Two days later it attacked the northern portion of the village, successfully forcing the Germans back into the OG Lines which bordered the village.

During these operations communication was almost impossible, with shell-fire preventing all attempts to run phone lines out to the front line. Private Galvin was one of those employed in the critically important tasks of running messages in the field. These men were often forced into
the open to carry their messages through, and were in almost constant danger. Private Galvin had survived the initial assault on the village, but on 25 July, as his battalion advanced through the northern part of Pozières, he was shot in the head. He was evacuated to a nearby field ambulance station, where he died of his wounds later that day. He was 26 years old.

Michael Galvin was buried in the military extension of the local cemetery in Warloy-Baillon. Less than three weeks later his widow gave birth to his daughter, Carmel. Olivia Galvin never remarried.

Michael Galvin’s 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 Michael Thomas Galvin, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Dr Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section