The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (2944) Lance Corporal Douglas Vowles Lakie, 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 Charis May the story for this day was on (2944) Lance Corporal Douglas Vowles Lakie, 50th Battalion (Infantry), First World War.

2944 Lance Corporal Douglas Vowles Lakie, 50th Battalion
DOD 14 March 1918
No photograph in collection

Today, we remember and pay tribute to Lance Corporal Douglas Vowles Lakie.

Douglas Lakie was born in Albert Park, Victoria, but was working in Adelaide as a clerk when he enlisted in September 1916, aged 18. Both of his parents had died, and he had no legal guardian, so the young man was able to enlist without needing to ask permission as other 18-year-olds were required to do.

After a short period of training in Australia he was sent to England with the 50th Battalion, and then, after more training in England, he was sent to France to fight on the Western Front. He was promoted to lance corporal in the field in November 1917, having demonstrated his capability as a soldier.

But just days after his promotion he fell ill while in the trenches, and was sent to England in a serious condition with tuberculosis. He never recovered. Four months later he died in the No. 1 Australian Auxiliary Hospital in Harefield, outside London, and is buried in the nearby cemetery. He is one of many who suffered illness and died far from home fighting for their country.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, along with around 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 Lance Corporal Douglas Vowles Lakie, and all of those Australians who have given their lives in the service of our nation.