The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (3278) Private Horace Duckham, 44th 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 (3278) Private Horace Duckham, 44th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

3278 Private Horace Duckham, 44th Battalion, AIF
KIA 4 July 1918


Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Horace Duckham.

Horace Duckham was born on 4 August 1899 to John and Mary Ann Duckham of York, Western Australia. His grandfather had established a brickyard in York known as Duckham’s, and Horace’s father worked there with his family before inheriting the business. Horace’s mother was a well-known York identity who ran a private maternity home, common in the days before public hospitals. Nurse Duckham, as she was known, had “a kindly nature and willingness to assist [which] was well known to a large circle of friends”. Horace grew up in York, attended the local state school, and went on to work as a baker.

Horace Duckham enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in February 1917. Although 17 at the time, he claimed to be 18, and presented at the enlistment office with a letter of permission signed by his father. After a period of training in Australia, he departed for overseas service with reinforcements to the 44th Battalion in June 1917. Spending his 18th birthday at sea, he reached England some three weeks later.

After his arrival he wrote to his mother, “well, dear mum, after eight long weeks on the water, we have at last managed to reach our destination and not to my sorrow, because after the sixth week on board, the trip becomes very monotonous. Although I am sure we had some of the finest weather that is possible to have and I quite enjoyed the trip. We pulled into Plymouth about 10 am Saturday, and after spending a few hours on board we were put into lighters and taken over to Devonport, where we landed. After spending a few hours on the wharf, we were entrained at 6 pm to Durrington Camp, Lark Hill, Salisbury Plain, and that is our home.”

Private Duckham continued training on Salisbury Plain for several months before being sent to join his battalion on the battlefields of northern France, doing so on Christmas Eve 1917. Several weeks into the new year, the German Army launched its great Spring Offensive, during which the 44th Battalion fought to protect the vital railhead of Amiens, and defended its position against a counter attack at Morlancourt.

Once the German attacks had been stopped, the Australian Corps began to conduct offensive operations. On 4 July 1918 the Australians attacked the French village of Hamel, a well-planned and well-executed operation that captured the village within an hour and a half. The 44th Battalion played a supporting role to the 43rd Battalion during the operation.

As the Australians were consolidating their new position, rumours came through of a German counter-attack. Private Duckham lay on the parapet of a trench with his mate John Page, waiting for the attack, which never eventuated. As they lay there, a bullet struck Duckham on the shoulder. Page bandaged Duckham up, and started to carry him to the dressing station.

On the journey to the dressing station Duckham was “not in pain, and conversed quite rationally” with Page. Nevertheless, he was mortally wounded, and died while chatting with his mate. John Page wrote, “he died almost without pain; I am real sorry and missing him very much.” Captain Morris Lewis of the 44th Battalion wrote to the Duckham family to say, “your son was a great little soldier, always cheerful and smiling, and I can never forget how pleased he was when in the enemy trenches captured in front of Hamel. I had a long conversation with him there, and little thought then I would have to perform this painful duty. I can assure you that your son was quite happy with me here, and had splendid mates in my Company, all of whom, as well as my officers, deeply sympathise with you … I am very sorry to have to do this writing, because I liked your son very much, and thought a lot of him.”

Horace Duckham was buried in a hastily constructed battlefield cemetery. After the war he was reinterred in the Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, where he lies today under the words “though lost to sight, to memory ever dear”. He was 18 years old.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, among almost 62,000 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 Horace Duckham, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section