The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (4228) Private Percival Herman Pieper, 6th Australian Light Trench Mortar Battery, Australian Army, 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 Richard Cruise, the story for this day was on (4228) Private Percival Herman Pieper, 6th Australian Light Trench Mortar Battery, Australian Army, First World War.

4288 Private Percival Herman Pieper, 6th Australian Light Trench Mortar Battery
DOW 6 October 1918
Photograph: DA13312

Story delivered 5 October 2013

Today, we remember and pay tribute to Private Percival Herman Pieper.

Percy Pieper was one of eight children born to Fred and Margaret Pieper of Toolleen in rural Victoria. After more than 25 years on that farm, the family moved to Mitiamo, about 100 kilometres away, to engage in wheat farming on a larger scale. Percy and his brothers worked on this farm with their father.

Percy enlisted in July 1916 with the 6th Battalion. He left the district following a farewell social in Mitiamo and a quick tour of the Toolleen district to say goodbye to friends there. At the age of 25 he was sent to England to continue training, and eventually transferred to the 6th Australian Light Trench Mortar Battery. These muzzle-loaded weapons fired bombs a short distance on a high trajectory and were an important part of the firepower available on the Western Front in the First World War. Pieper served with the trench mortars for the rest of his time in the war.

In his two years on the Western Front, Percy Pieper was in action more than 14 times, coming through with only minor wounds. This changed on 5 October 1918, when Pieper's trench mortar battery was operating near Montbrehain in the aftermath of the capture of the Hindenburg Line. Piper was on his gun when he was hit by an artillery shell and badly wounded in the left leg, arm and head. His best mate, Private Walker, and a number of others, bandaged his wounds and took him down into a deep dugout until the artillery fire ended. They were able to get him to a dressing station quite quickly where, still conscious, he said goodbye to his mates and promised to write.

Pieper was taken to a casualty clearing station where he was operated on. During the operation it was discovered that his wounds were much worse than first expected, including serious fractures and arterial damage. Despite all efforts to save him, he succumbed to his numerous injuries and was buried in the nearby cemetery at Tincourt.

Pieper's brother Claude, who had also enlisted in the AIF, was on his way home invalided after 25 months' service. Percy's supreme sacrifice was not forgotten in his home district.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, along with more than 60,000 others from the First World War, and his photograph is displayed today by 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 Private Percival Herman Pieper, and all those Australians who have given their lives in the service of our nation.