The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (1364) Sergeant William John James, 50th 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 Carlie Walker the story for this day was on (1364) Sergeant William John James, 50th Battalion, First World War.

1364 Sergeant William John James, 50th Battalion
KIA 2 April 1917
Photograph: P09291.090

Story delivered 23 May 2013

Today, we remember and pay tribute to Sergeant William John James.

William James - known as John to his family and Bill to his fellow soldiers - was born in Broken Hill and was working as a labourer when war broke out in 1914. Within months he had enlisted, and left Australia with the 10th Battalion, spending some time at Gallipoli.

With the expansion of the AIF following Gallipoli, the 10th Battalion was split in two, with half, including James, going to form the new 50th Battalion. On the Western Front he joined a machine gun section, and served at Pozières and Mouquet Farm in 1916. The commander of the 4th Division ' specially congratulated Sergeant James on his bravery and devotion to duty,' which he demonstrated in these battles.

In early 1917 the 50th Battalion was ordered to assault the fortified village of Noreuil, near the Hindenburg Line. They encountered heavy opposition on their advance, and the attack quickly broke down. One platoon came under very heavy fire and were forced to lie flat in shell holes to avoid being killed; one man who climbed a bank to see where the enemy was firing from had the ground shot out from underneath his feet and narrowly escaped death.

At that moment James arrived with his gun crew. He jumped out into the open and managed to get one burst off when he was shot in the head and killed instantaneously. The platoon he was endeavouring to protect was captured by the Germans, and was interned in a prisoner of war camp for the remainder of the war. Before they were taken they used the body of Bill James to hide the machine gun from the Germans, ensuring that valuable weaponry did not fall into the hands of the enemy.

For his final action in war he was found to be "deserving of special mention", and had his name published in Sir Douglas Haig's Despatch of 1 June 1917.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour to my right, along with more than 60,000 others from the First World War, and his photograph is displayed today beside the Pool of Reflection.

This is but one of the many stories of courage and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Sergeant William John James, and all of those Australians who have given their lives in service of our nation.