The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (1825) Lance Corporal Arthur John Freshwater 41st 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 Charis May, the story for this day was on (1825) Lance Corporal Arthur John Freshwater 41st Battalion, AIF, First World War.

1825 Lance Corporal Arthur John Freshwater 41st Battalion, AIF
DOW 9 August 1917
No photograph in collection – supplied by family

Story delivered 6 July 2015

Today we remember and pay tribute to Lance Corporal Arthur John Freshwater.

Arthur John Freshwater was born on 15 April 1871 in Chingford, Essex, to John and Annie Freshwater, the first of four children born to the couple. He attended Rendlesham Road Boarding School in Upper Clapton, London, after which he undertook a three-year apprenticeship as a wheelwright.

Seeking greater opportunity, Freshwater joined the British Army and served with the 49th and 66th Battalions of the Berkshire Regiment. Over a period of eight years he saw service in Northern Ireland and Nova Scotia. At the end of his period of enlistment, he took his discharge from the army.

After returning to civilian life, Freshwater met Ada Victoria Taylor and the pair began a courtship. They were married on 9 October 1898 at St John the Evangelist Church, East Dulwich. Shortly after their marriage, the couple immigrated to Australia and eventually settled in Kingaroy, Queensland. Between 1900 and 1914, eight children were born to the couple, two of whom died in infancy.

At the outbreak of the First World War Freshwater was working as a wheelwright and blacksmith. He enlisted for service in the AIF on 26 January 1916, initially being posted to the field engineers, later transferred to the 41st Battalion.

He embarked with his unit for England aboard the transport ship Boorara on 16 August 1916. After a brief period of training he joined the 41st Battalion in France at the end of November.

Freshwater, like thousands of others, endured the terrible winter of 1916–17, during which casualties mounted. Freshwater was promoted to lance corporal in early January 1917.

The 41st Battalion played a supporting role in the battle of Messines on 7 June. Later the battalion spent time resting and reorganising, as well as providing work parties. It went into the new front line at Messines towards the end of the month.

On 7 July Freshwater received a severe shrapnel wound to his left knee. He was evacuated to Boulogne before being transferred to Southwark Hospital in England. His wound was operated on and he seemed to be recovering satisfactorily. However, on the 8th of August, he was rushed into surgery, having suffered a secondary haemorrhage, and his leg had developed gangrene.

Freshwater’s leg was amputated at the thigh, but at 4.45 am the following morning he died from blood loss and shock. He was laid to rest with full military honours on 11 August in Brookwood Cemetery. He was 46 years old.

Freshwater’s name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, along with more than 60,000 others from the First World War. A photograph of Arthur with his wife and children can be seen 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 Lance Corporal Arthur John Freshwater, and all of those Australians who have given their lives in service of our nation.

Michael Kelly
Historian, Military History Section