The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (2410) Ernest Garner Shipway Merriman, 20th Battalion (Infantry), First World War

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial every 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 (2410) Ernest Garner Shipway Merriman, 20th Battalion (Infantry), First World War.

2410 Private Ernest Merriman, 20th Battalion
KIA 5 May 1916
Photograph: H06711

Story delivered 31 July 2013

Today, we remember and pay tribute to Private Ernest Merriman who was killed in action fighting in France on the 5th of May 1916.

Ernie Merriman was a farmer and labourer from Cumnock in New South Wales before enlisting at Liverpool Camp in July 1915. He left Australia after a few weeks' training, bound for Egypt with the 20th Battalion to take part in the fighting on Gallipoli - but the campaign had ended by the time he arrived at Mena Camp in January 1916. The following months were spent training in the hot sands of Egypt.

In March 1916, Private Merriman was among the first Australian troops to be sent to France. The 20th Battalion was the first Australian unit to come face to face with the Germans on the Western Front.

On the night of the 5th of May 1916, German troops conducted a trench raid on the Australian positions in the Bridoux Salient outside the town of Armentières. For several hours, they shelled the Australian trenches before assaulting the position. Australian casualties were heavy, with 23 men of the 20th Battalion killed in the attack, 72 wounded and 13 missing in action. One of those killed was Ernest Merriman.

Ernie Merriman was remembered with pride in the western districts of New South Wales as a prominent local athlete, and "a sturdy specimen of Australia's farmer-soldiers". He was remembered by his mother, brothers and sisters, too, who regretted that he was buried "'neath foreign skies, far from those who loved him best". But although his grave was far away, they were sure that "in a hero's grave he lies". Merriman was 28 years old when he died, and he was buried at Brewery Orchard Cemetery at Bois Grenier, where he rests today.

Ernest Merriman is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, along with around more than 60,000 others from the First World War. His is but one of the many stories of courage and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Private Ernest Merriman, and all those Australians who have given their lives in the service of our nation.