The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (QX16233) Sergeant Edgar Charles Harrold, 2/25th Australian Infantry Battalion, Second 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 Troy Clayton, the story for this day was on (QX16233) Sergeant Edgar Charles Harrold, 2/25th Australian Infantry Battalion, Second World War.

QX16233 Sergeant Edgar Charles Harrold, 2/25th Australian Infantry Battalion
Accidental 19 January 1945

Today we remember and pay tribute to Sergeant Edgar Charles Harrold.

Edgar Harrold was born on 18 April 1916 in Toowoomba, Queensland, the third child of Albert and Nellie Harrold. He and his siblings grew up in Toowoomba, and attended the local school.

By the time he enlisted in the Second Australian Imperial Force on 8 July 1940, Edgar Harrold was living at Meandarra, in the Western Downs region of Queensland, where he led a ringbarking team.

By the end of the month Harrold had joined the newly raised 2/25th Battalion. He showed leadership qualities at an early stage, and was promoted to lance corporal in mid-September.

After pre-embarkation leave in February and March 1941, Harrold and his battalion prepared for overseas service in April 1941, moving to Sydney by rail before embarking upon the retired British ocean liner Queen Mary, bound for Egypt.
Harrold was promoted to acting corporal in early April, and confirmed in that rank before arriving in Egypt.

In Egypt, training continued as the battalion received the rest of its equipment and weapons. In late May they entrained once again, to join the garrison at Tobruk. But those plans were changed, and the 2/25th along with the rest of the 25th Brigade moved to Palestine and was transferred to the 7th Division.

In June and July 1941 the battalion took part in the fighting against the Vichy French in the Syria–Lebanon campaign. The battalion launched its major attack of the campaign in an effort to retake the town of Merdjayoun. The attack encountered a force of French tanks, however, and after suffering heavy casualties and over 50 men captured, the attack was abandoned.

After some reorganisation, the battalion carried out garrison duties in Lebanon before being returning to Australia in February 1942 in anticipation of attack from Japan.

The 2/25th arrived in Adelaide in March and undertook training at Woodside Camp before moving north to Queensland in May. Harrold had a period of home leave before returning to undertake marksmanship training at the rifle range at Enoggera, followed by jungle training in July, and amphibious landing training in August.

With the situation in New Guinea becoming serious, the battalion left Brisbane at the end of August 1942.

After arriving at Port Moresby and being issued new issued new jungle-green uniforms, in mid-September the battalion marched to Ioribaiwa. They took part in the last Australian withdrawal of the campaign, falling back on Imita Ridge before the Japanese were forced to withdraw after they had exhausted their supply lines. The battalion then took part in the Australian advance towards Gona, with significant battles at Templeton's Crossing and Gorari throughout October and November, before taking part in the Battle of Buna–Gona in late November and early December.

Harrold was promoted to sergeant in mid-December, and at the end of the month he and his comrades were moved to a rest camp before being withdrawn to Australia for rest and re-organisation.

During the next six months the men of the battalion trained on the Atherton Tablelands. Harrold was able to get married, wedding Ellen Taylor on 23 June.
Shortly afterwards the battalion returned to New Guinea, arriving at Port Moresby on 22 July, in advance of the 25th Brigade's advance on Lae.

On 3 August, a district court martial was held in the field, and Sergeant Harrold was found guilty of being absent without leave on 25 June. He was reduced in rank and fined for the breach of military discipline, but would be promoted to sergeant again before the year ended.

In early September Harrold and his battalion were flown to Nadzab to take part in the Salamaua–Lae campaign, which saw the 7th Division drive on Lae through the Markham Valley. The 2/25th, in the vanguard of the Australian force, was the first to enter the town on 16 September. Later in the month the battalion was flown to Kaiapit, and carried out patrols in support of the Finisterre Range campaign
In January 1944, the battalion handed over their area of responsibility to the 24th Battalion and was withdrawn back to Port Moresby. From there, it returned to Australia in February 1944, stationed in various locations in Queensland.

But on 19 January 1945, Harrold had attempted to disarm a British No. 69 hand grenade with a pair of tinsnips.
When the grenade exploded the effect was deadly. Harrold immediately lost both hands and both eyes, his face was severely lacerated, and he suffered wounds to his chest, shoulders and neck. He died in an ambulance in transit to a field hospital less than an hour later.

A court of inquiry later found him guilty of negligence.
Edgar Harrold was buried at the Atherton War Cemetery. His and Ellen’s only child, Beverley, was born a week later.
Edgar Harrold was 28 years old.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my left, among almost 40,000 Australians who died while serving in the Second World War.

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

Duncan Beard
Editor, Military History Section