The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (2805) Driver Thomas Gregory De Mamiel, 13th Brigade, AFA, 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 Charis May, the story for this day was on (2805) Driver Thomas Gregory De Mamiel, 13th Brigade, AFA, First World War.

2805 Driver Thomas Gregory De Mamiel, 13th Brigade, AFA
DOW 10 August 1918
No photograph in collection

Story delivered 7 October 2014

Today we remember and pay tribute to Driver Thomas Gregory De Mamiel.

Thomas Gregory De Mamiel was born to George and Selina De Mamiel at Darlington Point, New South Wales, in 1893. He attended school at Darlington Point Public School and, after leaving, found work as a labourer.

De Mamiel enlisted for service with the AIF on 8 July 1915 and was allotted to the 9th reinforcements for the 2nd Battalion. After arriving in Egypt, and with the expansion of the AIF, he was transferred to the newly formed 54th Battalion. This posting was also short-lived, as in March De Mamiel transferred to the 5th Division’s artillery and was posted to the 56th Battery.

In May De Mamiel qualified as a driver, and sailed the next month with his unit for France, where he joined the 25th Field Artillery Brigade. He saw his first major action in July when his unit fired in support of the infantry attack at Fromelles.

He continued to serve on the Western Front and endured the winter of 1916–17, after which the 25th Brigade was disbanded and De Mamiel was transferred to the 13th Field Artillery Brigade, posted to the 51st Battery. The battery supported the infantry operation to capture Bapaume in February 1917 and at Bullecourt in April and May.

Having served through the Third Battle of Ypres during September and October, in March 1918 De Mamiel and his unit faced the German Spring Offensive. The Germans were stopped near Amiens and the allies began building for a counter-offensive, which was finally launched in August.

On 10 August, following a successful day supporting the Australian 7th Infantry Brigade, the 56th Battery was due to be relieved that evening. As a further attack was planned by the 7th Brigade for 9 pm, it was though that the men of the 56th Battery should stay at their guns and fire in support. This necessitated calling the men back to the line, many of whom had already been withdrawn.

The operation was postponed until the following morning, and the men of the 56th Battery remained in their positions overnight. The area around Harbonnières was shelled by a German high-velocity gun, and during the bombardment De Mamiel was hit by shrapnel. He was taken to a nearby casualty clearing station where he later died from his wounds. De Mamiel was laid to rest in Heath Cemetery, Harbonnières. He was 25 years old.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, along with more than 60,000 others from the First World War.

This is but one of the many stories of courage and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Driver Thomas Gregory De Mamiel, and all of those Australians who have given their lives in service of our nation.