The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (1853) Gunner Frederick Charles Boden, 13th Brigade Australian Field Artillery, 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 Craig Blanch, the story for this day was on (1853) Gunner Frederick Charles Boden, 13th Brigade Australian Field Artillery, First World War.

1853 Gunner Frederick Charles Boden, 13th Brigade Australian Field Artillery
DOD 8 November 1918
No photograph in collection

Story delivered 15 November 2013

Today we remember and pay tribute to Gunner Frederick Charles Boden.

Frederick Charles Boden enlisted in the first AIF in September 1916 at the age of 24. Leaving his job as a clerk in Cairns behind, he originally joined the Light Horse, but shortly after arriving in Egypt he transferred to the artillery.

Much of Boden's initial service was as a driver for the 5th Divisional Ammunition Column, taking limbers of supplies, ammunition and even guns to the line. Although this could be very dangerous, and Boden would regularly have come under enemy shellfire, it seems that he wanted a more active role in the war and so towards the end of 1917 he was remustered at his own request to be a gunner.

Boden was the sort of Australian soldier who served quietly and without either praise or censure. He spent nearly a year as a gunner with the 13th Brigade of the Australian Field Artillery, leaving his brigade only when granted leave. He was never charged with a crime, nor was he awarded any decoration.

He was slightly gassed on one occasion while in the line in 1918, but did not leave the line to seek medical assistance. Later that year he contracted influenza, and with his lungs already weakened by the effects of the gas, it developed into pneumonia. Frederick Boden never recovered, and died in hospital. He was 26 years old.

His mother, abandoned by her husband some time before the war, had seen one son return safely shortly before hearing the news of Fred's death. Flags in his home town of Cairns were lowered in sympathy with the bereaved family when the news was heard. He had died just three days before the armistice.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on your left, 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 Gunner Frederick Charles Boden, and all of those Australians who have given their lives in service of our nation.