The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (1582) Albert Cramer (served as Private Bert Reddaway), 6th 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 Meredith Duncan, the story for this day was on (1582) Albert Cramer (served as Private Bert Reddaway), 6th Battalion, First World War.

1582 Albert Cramer (served as Private Bert Reddaway), 6th Battalion
KIA 8 May 1915
No photograph in collection

Story delivered 9 June 2015

Today we remember and pay tribute to Albert Cramer, who served as Private Bert Reddaway in the first AIF.

Bert Cramer was born in South Yarra, Victoria, on 20 July, 1899, to Elizabeth and Charles Cramer. He attended the local state school and worked as a carrier. When war broke out in 1914, Bert was desperate to enlist even though he had only just turned 15. His mother would not give her permission, so he ran away.

Bert packed a swag and took all of his money, which amounted to ten pence, and walked to Albury from Melbourne. From there he went to Sydney and enlisted. After six weeks in camp he was told he had a problem with his eyesight which would require an operation before he could go to war. He refused the operation, and returned to Melbourne.

Cramer was not deterred, however, and he re-enlisted. He gave his name as Bert Reddaway, using his mother’s maiden name, and said that he was a 20-year-old printer. This time Bert passed the medical test, and was posted to the 6th Battalion. Shortly afterwards he left Australia for service overseas.

In early May the 6th Battalion was sent to fight alongside the British and New Zealanders at Cape Helles. On the 8th of May the battalion attempted to advance towards a hill beyond the village of Krithia. The advance went ahead under very heavy shrapnel, rifle and machine-gun fire, and the battalion suffered heavy losses.

One of those lost was Albert Cramer. He died somewhere on the battlefield, but the manner of his death was not recorded, nor was his body identified afterwards. Bert Cramer is commemorated on the Cape Helles Memorial with more than 20,000 unidentified casualties. He never saw his 16th birthday.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, along with more than 60,000 Australians who died during the First World War.

This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Albert Cramer, and all those Australians who have given their lives in the service of our nation.

Dr Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section