The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of Major Gordon Arthvael Uther, 20th 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 Major Gordon Arthvael Uther, 20th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

Major Gordon Arthvael Uther, 20th Battalion, AIF
DOW 11 December 1915
No photograph in collection

Story delivered 28 December 2015

Today we remember and pay tribute to Major Gordon Arthvael Uther.

Gordon Uther was born on 28 January 1885 to Frederick and Janet Uther. His father was a prominent auctioneer in Sydney, and Gordon went on to matriculate from the University of Sydney. He became a solicitor, working for the firm of Bradley and Son in Sydney. In 1911 he married Ethel Cheffins in Burrowa, and they went on to have two daughters, Janet and Sheila. Uther also served in the Citizens’ Militia, undertaking a number of military training courses in subjects such as topography, and rising to the rank of captain.

Uther applied for a commission in the Australian Imperial Force in June 1915. He was appointed to the rank of captain, and left Sydney the next day as adjutant to the 20th Battalion. In her husband’s absence, Ethel Uther worked tirelessly in Australia for the comfort of troops overseas. After a short period of service in Egypt, Captain Uther arrived on the Gallipoli peninsula in August 1915.

Little is known of Uther’s service on Gallipoli. He must have proved an able soldier, however, as in September he was promoted to major. From the time he arrived on the peninsula the 20th Battalion did not participate in any more attacks, although it was active in defending the line, and regularly came under artillery and sniper-fire.

On 11 December 1915 Major Gordon Uther was struck in the head by a fragment of artillery shell. He was taken to a nearby casualty clearing station but later died of his wounds. He was buried in the nearby Ari Burnu Cemetery, where he lies today under the words “his faith is large in eternity”.

In Australia his death was reported in the newspaper, one report saying: “it seems very hard that men of his stamp, possessing such a bright future should be cut off so early in life”. Gordon Uther was 31 years old.

His name is 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 Major Gordon Arthvael Uther, and all those Australians who have given their lives in the service of our nation.

Dr Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section