The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (2890) Private Walter Henry Charles Undy, 46th Battalion (Infantry), 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 (2890) Private Walter Henry Charles Undy, 46th Battalion (Infantry), First World War.

2890 Private Walter Henry Charles Undy, 46th Battalion
KIA 12 October 1917
No photograph in collection

Story delivered 18 January 2014

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Walter Henry Charles Undy.

Walter Undy was born and raised in St Arnaud, Victoria. He worked as a miner, but tried to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force shortly after the outbreak of war in 1914. However, at only five-foot-four-inches, he was turned down because he did not reach the early height requirements. As more men were needed, the restriction was lowered, and he was finally accepted in July 1915. Aged 21 he left Australia later that year and arrived in Egypt in January 1916.

Private Undy was posted to the 46th Battalion and eventually sent to fight in France. His battalion first saw major action in the lines around the village of Pozières. Here Undy was wounded by a gunshot to his left hand which resulted in the loss of his little finger.

Undy spent some months in hospital in early 1917, and did not return to his battalion until June. In October the 46th Battalion was in close support to an attack by the 47th and 48th battalions near Zonnebeke in Belgium. Men from the 46th were engaged during the day in carrying supplies to the front line and acting as stretcher-bearers. During the operation the German artillery was active, and 13 men from the 46th were killed. One of these was Walter Undy. In the confusion of the battlefield his body was lost, and today he has no known grave.

The flag at the St Arnaud town hall was flown at half-mast in memory of Walter Undy, and he was mourned by his parents, brothers and sisters. His brother Arthur, who had also enlisted, survived the war.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, along with more than 60,000 others from the First World War. There is no photograph in the collection to display beside 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 Walter Henry Charles Undy, and all of those Australians who have given their lives in the service of our nation.