The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (4807) Corporal Peter Norman Johannsen, 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 Meredith Duncan, the story for this day was on (4807) Corporal Peter Norman Johannsen, 8th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

4807 Corporal Peter Norman Johannsen, 8th Battalion, AIF
KIA 20 September 1917
No photograph in collection

Story delivered 6 October 2015

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Peter Norman Johannsen.

Peter Johannsen was born in Allendale, Victoria, the third son of Jack and Mary Anne Johannsen. His father was the senior partner in a company based in Allendale, and Peter was educated at the local state school. He went on to work as a clerk in the accountant’s branch of the Railway Department in Melbourne.

Johannsen left this position to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force in May 1915. He was posted to the 8th Battalion and, after a period of training in Australia, was sent overseas. During the voyage he served as his troopship’s quartermaster sergeant. After stopping briefly in Egypt he was sent to England, where he spent time training before serving in a number of clerical positions. In June 1917 he was sent to join the 8th Battalion in France.

Three months later the 8th Battalion moved to the Belgian town of Ypres. At 4.45 am on 20 September the men lay in shell holes and trench lines along the Menin Road in preparation for an assault on the German lines. However, before the Australians could attack the Germans opened fire on the 8th Battalion’s right and began a heavy artillery barrage. Nevertheless, the battalion advanced under heavy fire and succeeded in taking its objectives.

One of the casualties sustained during the battle was Corporal Peter Johannsen. Little is known of the manner of his death, and in the confusion of battle his body was lost. He is now commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing in Ypres, not far from where he was killed. He was 28 years old.

His name is also listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, among 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 Private Peter Norman Johannsen, and all those Australians who have given their lives in the service of our nation.

Dr Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section