The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (QX53624) Private Jack Field, 22nd 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 Richard Cruise, the story for this day was on (QX53624) Private Jack Field, 22nd Australian Infantry Battalion, Second World War.

QX53624 Private Jack Field, 22nd Australian Infantry Battalion
KIA 3 December 1943

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Jack Field.
Jack Field was born in the Brisbane suburb of Wynnum, the son of Alfred and Leila Field.

Growing up in the large Field family, he attended Petrie Terrace State School and Ithaca State School in Brisbane, before finding work as a foundry labourer.
Field was a tall man, reportedly 6 foot 2, and his younger sister remembered being able to touch the ceiling he carried her on his shoulders.

Although christened John, he always used the name Jack, and it was this name he used when joining the Militia in April 1942, giving his age as 18 years and 6 months.
In July, he marched in to Brisbane, and soon joined a training battalion. Training followed at Enoggera and Goondawindi, including attendance at a guerrilla warfare course.

In January 1943, Field transferred to the Australian Imperial Force, and early the following month he joined his unit, the 22nd Battalion, as it prepared for deployment to New Guinea.

After embarking from Brisbane in early February, Field arrived at Milne Bay area in early March 1943. Here he and his comrades undertook garrison duties and jungle training. In September the 22nd and the rest of the 4th Brigade left Milne Bay for Lae. Moving by landing craft, the brigade was to protect Red Beach and support the 9th Division, in preparation for the Huon Peninsula campaign. The 22nd’s role was to advance from Lae, follow the coast, and cross the mountains to Finschhafen.

In early December, the battalion crossed the Kalueng River and came under fire from enemy machine-guns and mortars. As the battalion advanced, it continued to come under attack from Japanese forces, and retaliated with mortar and artillery fire. Enemy pockets were slowly cleared, and some withdrew as the battalion advanced.
On 6 December, patrols mopped up enemy pockets that had been cleared by other battalions, and made contact with other friendly forces. In the afternoon a message of congratulation was received from the nearby headquarters. More congratulatory messages were soon received from the 9th Division as documents captured by the battalion were translated, giving the enemy order of battle.

The following day Private Field was killed in action, suffering a gunshot wound that killed him almost instantly.

The Field family would later tell the story that, as Jack Field was the tallest man in the area, he could be seen above the surrounding bushland and presented a tantalising target for enemy snipers.

He was 20 years old.
In 1946, with war over, his family placed the following remembrance notice in the local paper:
May the heavenly winds blow softly
O’er that sweet and hallowed spot
Where our soldier boy lies sleeping,
Who will never be forgot.
As we loved you, Jack, so we miss you,
In our memory you are dear;
Lov’d, remembered, longed for always
As it dawns this third sad year.

Today, Jack Field’s remains lie in Lae War Cemetery, where the inscription chosen by his family adorns his headstone:
His duty fearlessly and nobly done, ever remembered.
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 Private Jack Field, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Duncan Beard
Editor, Military History Section