The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of Lieutenant Leonard George Prentice Errey MC, 8th 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 Jana Johnson, the story for this day was on Lieutenant Leonard George Prentice Errey MC, 8th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

Lieutenant Leonard George Prentice Errey MC, 8th Battalion, AIF
DOW 4 October 1917
No photograph in collection

Story delivered 26 September 2015

Today we remember and pay tribute to Lieutenant Leonard George Prentice Errey.

Len Errey was the youngest of eight children born to William and Hannah Errey of Camperdown, Victoria. He attended the Camperdown State School and became a member of the local rifle club. After completing his education he undertook a four-year apprenticeship to become a carpenter. His father, already in his fifties when Len was born, died in March 1912.

Errey enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in September 1914, just weeks after the outbreak of the war, and was posted to the 8th Battalion. He served throughout the Gallipoli campaign and received a series of promotions over the next year or so, culminating in a commission and the rank of lieutenant with the 8th Battalion.

By 1917 Errey was an experienced and proficient soldier. He was Mentioned in Despatches for his distinguished and gallant service by Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig. In April 1917 the 8th Battalion was in the front lines near the French village of Pronville. One night Errey led a reconnaissance patrol of eight men into no man’s land, passing through the enemy wire and gaining valuable information before coming under enemy attack. Despite being strongly outnumbered, Errey and his men managed to drive off the enemy party with bombs and rifle-fire and return to their own lines without casualty. The battalion commander wrote that Errey was “a splendid leader and absolutely fearless”. For his actions, he was awarded the Military Cross.

In September 1917 the 8th Battalion participated in the attack on Polygon Wood, near the Belgian town of Ypres. During the operation the battalion managed to gain all its objectives, but in Lieutenant Errey’s sector an enemy machine-gun was causing many casualties and began to disorganise the line. Lieutenant Errey led a party of five officers and 60 Other Ranks to attack the enemy strongpoint through an artillery barrage and heavy fire. His battalion commander later wrote: “this officer’s most conspicuous bravery, determination and prompt action undoubtedly saved many lives and altered the situation at a critical moment enabling the line to be firmly established”.

Errey was nominated for the Victoria Cross for his work at Polygon Wood, but was later awarded the Distinguished Service Order.

It was to be his last action. During the battle Errey was hit by shrapnel in the left shoulder. Everything possible was done for him, but he died of his wounds on 4 October 1917. He was 25 years old.

When the news was received in Camperdown the town flags were flown at half-mast. General Birdwood, commanding officer of I ANZAC, wrote the following to Errey’s mother in Victoria:
I feel I must write to tell you how deeply I sympathise with you in the loss of such a gallant son … I was delighted when he was immediately awarded the DSO – a very high distinction for a young officer, as this order is usually granted only to more senior officers.

Before learning of his death Birdwood had written to Errey to congratulate him on his DSO. He finished his letter with the post script: “Next time I very sincerely trust it may be the VC which you will be awarded.”

Leonard George Prentice Errey’s 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 Leonard George Prentice Errey, and all those Australians who have given their lives in the service of our nation.

Dr Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section