The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of Captain Charles Augustus Littler, 52nd 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 Craig Berelle, the story for this day was on Captain Charles Augustus Littler, 52nd Battalion, AIF, First World War.

Captain Charles Augustus Littler, 52nd Battalion, AIF
KIA 3 September 1916
Photograph: P02898.002

Story delivered 24 August 2014

Today we remember and pay tribute to Captain Charles Augustus Littler, who died while serving in the First World War.

Charles Littler was born in Launceston, Tasmania, on 26 March 1868, the son of Augustus and Hanna Littler. He qualified as an accountant and worked in banks in Devonport, Zeehan, and Hobart before starting a business back in Devonport as a produce and commission agent. After being general manager of the North-Western Farmers’ Association for a time, he moved to the Philippines to work in the rubber industry. In January 1892 he married Helen Cotgrave Thomas. They had three sons, two of whom would go on to serve with distinction during the First World War.

Littler was in Tasmania on holiday when the First World War began. In December 1914 he applied for a commission in the Australian Imperial Force on the basis of his extensive experience in the Militia. Despite being nearly 50 years old, he was granted his commission and was sent overseas with the 12th Battalion.

Lieutenant Littler was sent to Egypt, and from there to Gallipoli. He was granted the rank of captain while in the field at Anzac Cove, and was, according to Charles Bean, “the best-known personality on Anzac Beach”. Littler was somewhat outspoken and forthright in giving his opinion, which may have contributed to his slow rate of promotion. Bean recorded that he was “almost the last to leave at the evacuation”. For his services he was later awarded the Distinguished Service Order.

Back in Egypt the AIF underwent a period of training and reorganisation. As a part of this process, Littler was transferred to the 52nd Battalion. After some months the battalion was sent to France to fight on the Western Front.

On 3 September 1916 the 52nd Battalion participated in its first major operation – an attack on Mouquet Farm. Littler declared that “he would carry no weapon but his stick”, saying, “I have never done so, and I don’t see why I should begin now.” In the attack he was wounded, but went on into the German trenches, where he waved his men on with his stick. Shortly afterwards he was killed by machine-gun fire at close range.

General Birdwood wrote to Littler’s widow to express his sorrow:

...in the final advance he was hit, and, to our great regret and loss, was killed almost immediately, dying as he probably himself would have wished to – fighting for his King and country, as so many other brave men from Australia have done.

The battalion chaplain also wrote to say, “I cannot tell you how we miss him in the battalion … he had a greater mind than the ordinary man.” Charles Littler was 48 years old.

His 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 displayed today beside the Pool of Reflection.

This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Captain Charles Augustus Littler, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.