The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (752) Private William Charles Delaney MM, 33rd 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 Gerard Pratt, the story for this day was on (752) Private William Charles Delaney MM, 33rd Battalion, AIF, First World War.

752 Private William Charles Delaney MM, 33rd Battalion, AIF
KIA 30 September 1917

Story delivered 24 July 2017

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private William Charles Delaney.

William Delaney was born on 20 October 1882 in Newtown, Tasmania, to William and Mary Delaney. He grew up in Hobart and attended Trinity Hill Public School.

After leaving school, he worked as a labourer and served for two years with the Tasmanian Garrison Artillery Militia. His service ended when he moved to Sydney, where he worked as a labourer.

Following the outbreak of the First World War, Delaney applied to enlist for service in the Australian Imperial Force at Narrabri on 16 November 1915. He was called up in February 1916 and joined the newly-formed 33rd Battalion, which was in camp at the Armidale Showgrounds.

On 4 May he left Sydney with his battalion aboard the transport ship Marathon, bound for England, where he spent several months training before sailing to France in November.

The 33rd Battalion entered the front line for the first time at the end of November and spent the following months rotating in and out of the front line. During the terrible winter of 1916 and 1917, Delaney contracted bronchitis and spent some time in hospital.

The 33rd Battalion took part in its first major battle at Messines on 7 June. Along with the rest of the 9th Brigade, it led the 3rd Division’s assault and captured its objectives. The battalion held its newly-won positions for several days afterwards, enduring heavy German shelling and suffering heavy casualties.

The battalion rotated in and out of the front line at Messines throughout July. During a period of particularly heavy bombardment, Delaney performed the following acts of gallantry:

Under a continuous heavy barrage Private Delaney attended to many of our wounded, and carried them to the Regimental Aid Post in full view of the enemy. Casualties that occurred in his sector could not be evacuated expeditiously through our trenches and this gallant man repeatedly carried them overland, absolutely regardless of all personal danger. During the period from 11th July to 17th July, 1917, he worked continuously and although badly shaken he refused to rest. By his untiring efforts and gallantry he undoubtedly saved the lives of several of his comrades. His splendid devotion to duty together with his cheerful readiness greatly inspired the whole Battalion. Private Delaney accompanied two of our raids and did excellent work in the battle of Messines, also he displayed great courage and devotion to duty and worked without relief for the 96 hours we were in the line.

He was awarded the Military Medal in mid-September.

Just a few weeks later, in the early hours of 30 September, the 33rd Battalion returned to the front line near Zonnebeke. That morning, it suffered three fatal casualties, one of whom was Delaney. He was 35 years old.

He was buried behind the lines, but his grave was lost in the ensuing fighting. Today he is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, which bears the names of almost 55,000 soldiers, including 6,000 Australians.

His name is also listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, among more than 60,000 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 Charles Delaney MM, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Michael Kelly
Historian, Military History Section