The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of Lieutenant Eric Martin Solling, 2nd Battalion, 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 Lieutenant Eric Martin Solling, 2nd Battalion, First World War.

Lieutenant Eric Martin Solling, 2nd Battalion
KIA 25 April 1915
Photograph: P03796.007 (mounted, right)

Story delivered 2 May 2014

Today we remember and pay tribute to Lieutenant Eric Martin Solling.

Eric Solling, always known as "Dick", was the son of John and Jane Solling of New South Wales. Born in 1893, he grew up in Maitland and Orange. Little is known of his early years, but after completing his schooling he underwent a three-year apprenticeship to become an optician. He served with the 14th Infantry Regiment in the Citizens' Militia Force for six years, during two of which he was a commissioned officer.

Dick Solling enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force just weeks after war was declared in August 1914. His previous military service saw his application for a commission in the AIF accepted, and he was posted to the 2nd Battalion as a lieutenant. Dick had had a son out of wedlock, and shortly before he left Australia he married the boys' mother, Vera Wilkinson, in a hastily arranged wedding. After a short honeymoon in Sydney, he left for the war. His sister, matron at the Crown Street Women's Hospital in Sydney, also enlisted shortly after the war for service in hospitals near the conflict.

Instead of continuing on to Europe as expected, Solling's troopship was rerouted to Egypt. While there he was given command of 10 Platoon, C Company, in the 2nd Battalion. On 25 April 1915 the 2nd Battalion landed at Anzac Cove. Most of the battalion landed sometime after dawn, and was broken up to provide reinforcement and support where needed. During the confusion of the first day or two there was little information to be had regarding the number of casualties.

On 4 May Lieutenant Solling's family in Australia received word that Dick had been killed in action during those first hectic days at Anzac Cove. However, a day later Mr and Mrs Solling received a cable from their daughter, serving as a nursing sister in Cairo, which read: "Landed Egypt, Eric, wounded in the leg. Signed Solling." They sent word to Vera to tell her to "be prepared for better news".

The family waited in suspense, hoping for the best.

Sadly, the news from Nursing Sister Solling was incorrect. After many cables back and forth between Australia and Cairo it was confirmed that Dick had indeed been killed in action. His last resting place was unknown.

Dick Solling's sister went on to serve with distinction throughout the war, and was Mentioned in Despatches by General Sir Douglas Haig for her work in hospitals in Egypt and France. Dick's father planted some Egyptian rockmelon seeds in the back yard that Dick had sent home from the Middle East and cultivated them carefully for many years in memory of his son.

Eric's name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, along with more than 60,000 others from the First World War. His photograph is today displayed 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 Lieutenant Eric Martin Solling, and all of those Australians who have given their lives in the service of our nation.