The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (175) Lance Corporal James Edward Hebden Radford 3rd Battalion, AIF, 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 Joanne Smedley, the story for this day was on (175) Lance Corporal James Edward Hebden Radford 3rd Battalion, AIF, First World War.

175 Lance Corporal James Edward Hebden Radford 3rd Battalion, AIF
DOW 22 August 1915
Photograph: P08996.001

Story delivered 22 August 2014

Today we remember and pay tribute to Lance Corporal James Edward Hebden Radford.

James Radford was born to Edward John and Ellen Hebden Radford in 1895 in Nhill, Victoria. The family moved to New South Wales when James was still an infant, and settled in Summer Hill. He attended school at Petersham Superior Public School and was a keen sportsman. He also served in the junior and senior cadets. After finishing school he went to work for his uncle as an auctioneer’s clerk. He also joined the 39th Infantry, his local Militia battalion.

When the First World War began Radford was among the first to enlist for service, and was posted to the 3rd Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force. After training at Liverpool Camp he embarked with his unit from Sydney aboard the transport ship Euripides and arrived at Egypt in December.

The battalion moved to Lemnos in March in preparation for the impending landings on Gallipoli. On 25 April the 3rd Battalion came ashore in the second and third waves of the landing force. In the ensuing days, the battalion suffered a number of casualties and Radford was promoted to lance corporal in early May.

In early August Radford, who was taking part in the fighting at Lone Pine, suffered fractures to both of his legs. The cause of his wounding was not recorded, but his wounds necessitated his evacuation from Gallipoli. He was transferred by ship to Malta for further treatment. At the time of his arrival on Malta, his wounds were assessed as slight.

Radford sent a cable to his parents on 21 August saying that he was “wounded; not seriously” and urging them not to worry. The following day he suffered a femoral hemorrhage and died from loss of blood. He was buried in the Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, along with around 60,000 others from the First World War, and his photograph is displayed today 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 Lance Corporal James Edward Hebden Radford, and all of those Australians who have given their lives in service of our nation.