The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (6028) Lance Corporal John Laurence Bubb, 21st 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 Andrew Smith, the story for this day was on (6028) Lance Corporal John Laurence Bubb, 21st Battalion (Infantry), First World War.

Note: This event was not recorded.

6028 Lance Corporal John Laurence Bubb, 21st Battalion
DOW 4 October 1917
Photograph: P03830.001

Story delivered 8 September 2013

Today, we remember and pay tribute to Lance Corporal John Laurence Bubb of the 21st Infantry Battalion.

John Bubb was born in Beechwood, New South Wales, and worked as a public school teacher in Adelong, where he lived with his new wife, Mary. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in August 1915 at the age of 23. From then until April 1916 he was in Australia at the Depot School as an acting sergeant with the 4th Battalion. Eventually he was posted to the 17th reinforcements to the 21st Battalion and left Australia in November 1916.

After serving with the 6th Training Battalion at Larkhill in England, Bubb finally joined the 21st Battalion in the field in France in April 1917. He would be with them there for just six months.

In the early morning of the 4th of October, the 21st took part in an attack on Broodseinde Ridge in Ypres, Belgium. Heavy shelling at dawn had cost the Australians dearly, with many casualties reported before the attack had begun. When ordered to move forward, the Australians were met with a line of German troops launching their own attack. The Australians managed to gain their objectives, including heavily guarded German pillboxes on the Ridge. The assault cost 6,500 Australian casualties.

John Laurence Bubb, described by his mates in the battalion as a "splendid good fellow", was hit by a piece of shell that landed near him during the operation. Wounded in the abdomen, he was carried to a dressing station for emergency treatment but died as they were taking him to the casualty clearing station on his way to being evacuated from the battlefield. John Bubb died on the 4th of October 1917, from wounds sustained during the attack on Broodseinde Ridge.

His grave was lost in later fighting, and he has no known resting place, but is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial. He never met his son, born while he was serving overseas.

The name of Lance Corporal John Laurence Bubb is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, along with the names of close to 60,000 men who died during the First World War. 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 Lance Corporal John Laurence Bubb and all those Australians who have given their lives in the service of our nation.