The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (5459) Corporal Harry Thorpe, 7th 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 David Whyte the story for this day was on (5459) Corporal Harry Thorpe, 7th Battalion (Infantry), First World War.

5459 Corporal Harry Thorpe, 7th Battalion
DOW 9 August 1918
Photograph: P01695.002

Story delivered 28 may 2013

Today we remember and pay tribute to Corporal Harry Thorpe of the Australian Army. In honour of the great tradition of Indigenous military service to Australia, we tell his story.

Harry Thorpe was born at the Lake Tyers Mission Station, near Lakes Entrance in Victoria, to William Thorpe, a Brabuwooloong man, and his wife, Lilian. He was married and working as a labourer when war broke out in 1914. Although Aboriginal men were officially prohibited from enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force, Thorpe successfully enlisted in February 1916, aged 29.

Harry left Australia with the 7th Battalion in April 1916. After a brief period of training in Egypt, he went to France to fight. The 7th Battalion was present at the battle of Pozières and the subsequent fighting around Mouquet Farm. He was exposed to some of the heaviest artillery fire seen on the Western Front and, in early August, was evacuated with a gunshot wound to his leg and with shell shock.

In early 1917 Thorpe was promoted to Lance Corporal. The 7th Battalion went into action around the French village of Bullecourt in May. Here Thorpe was wounded for the second time when he was shot in the shoulder.

After another period in hospital, Lance Corporal Thorpe once again joined his unit. In battle he proved to be an able leader, and in October 1917 he was awarded the Military Medal for 'handling his men with skill and materially assisting his company commander' in the dangerous job of seeking out German infantry hiding in dugouts and pill boxes. His medal citation notes that 'by his splendid example and disregard of all danger he inspired those under him'. He was subsequently promoted to Corporal.

In August 1918 the 7th Battalion conducted an operation against the enemy at Lihons Wood in France. There Thorpe was wounded for the third and final time, shot in the abdomen. He died hours after arriving at the dressing station.

Harry Thorpe left a wife, Julie, and one son, Reginald. He was buried in France alongside his friend and fellow Indigenous soldier, Private William Rawlings, who was killed on the same day.

Corporal Harry Thorpe is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, along with over 60,000 others from the First World War, and his photograph is displayed today beside the Pool of Reflection.

This is one of the many stories of courage and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Corporal Harry Thorpe and all of those Australians who have given their lives in service of our nation.