The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (5037) Private John Mark Munn, 27th 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 Craig Berelle, the story for this day was on (5037) Private John Mark Munn, 27th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

5037 Private John Mark Munn, 27th Battalion, AIF
KIA 2 September 1918

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private John Mark Munn.

John Munn was born on 25 April 1895 in Hynam, South Australia, one of ten children born to Henry and Elizabeth Munn.

Known as “Jack”, he attended Hynam Public School and by the time the First World War began was working as a labourer at Gressell’s saw mill in Hynam. He was also a member of the Loyal Mosquito Plains Lodge of Odd Fellows.

Munn enlisted for service in the Australian Imperial Force at Naracoorte on 15 March 1916. After several weeks of training, he was allotted to the 13th reinforcements to the 27th Battalion.

In late June, Munn embarked with other reinforcements aboard the transport ship Bulla, bound for England. He disembarked in England in late August and was sent to the 7th Training Battalion where he underwent further training to prepare for conditions on the Western Front.

He was sent to France in late September and was taken on strength of the 27th Battalion, which was in rest positions at Steenvoorde in Belgium on 2 October. Just days later, the battalion was sent forward to relieve the 19th Battalion in the Ypres Salient.

While in the line, the battalion conducted several small-scale raids against German positions and captured a number of prisoners. After a mostly quiet time, the 27th Battalion was relieved on 16 October and made its way back to Steenvoorde.

Four days later, Munn sustained an injury to his foot. He was evacuated to a nearby dressing station for treatment and was back with the battalion near the end of the month.

In late October the battalion was sent south to the Somme, and on 5 November it took part in the disastrous attempt to capture Flers. Munn suffered a gunshot wound to his right arm and was evacuated to hospital at Camieres.

He re-joined his battalion in early March 1917, just after it had taken part in a successful attack north of Warlencourt. Near the end of the month, Munn took part in the 27th Battalion’s successful attack on Lagnicourt.

On 20 September, the battalion took part in the battle of Menin Road. Under the cover of artillery and machine-gun barrages it captured a section of the German front line between Polygon Wood and Iron Cross Redoubt.

During the fighting Munn was wounded for the second time, this time receiving shrapnel wounds to his left arm. He was once again evacuated to Camieres for surgery and to recover.

Munn returned to the 27th Battalion at the end of October. In late November he was sent on leave, enjoying a little over two weeks in England.

In March 1918, the 27th Battalion played its part in stopping the German spring offensive, Operation Michael. The battalion then played a major role in the capture of Morlancourt in June, and then the “peaceful penetration” operations of July.

On 8 August, an offensive was launched by the Allies. Munn took part in the early stages of the fighting, but in the middle of the month was sent to the 4th Army Rest Camp.
After returning to his battalion, at the end of August Munn took part in the 2nd Division’s attack on Mont St Quentin. After heavy fighting the ridge was captured on 1 September. That same day, Australians fought their way into Peronne.

The following day, the 27th Battalion captured Allaines and Haut Allaines. During this action, Munn was killed. The manner of his death and burial were not recorded, nor were his remains identified after the war. He was 23 years old.

Today, his name is commemorated on the Australian National Memorial at Villers Bretonneux.

Munn’s name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, among more than 60,000 Australians who died while serving in the First World War. And this evening his photograph is displayed 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 John Mark Munn, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Michael Kelly
Historian, Military History Section