The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (501a) Private George Ernest Thomas Andrew, 10th Machine Gun Company, 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 (501a) Private George Ernest Thomas Andrew, 10th Machine Gun Company, AIF, First World War.

501a Private George Ernest Thomas Andrew, 10th Machine Gun Company, AIF
KIA 18 July 1917
No photograph in collection

Story delivered 2 April 2016

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private George Ernest Thomas Andrew.

George Andrew was born in Port Broughton, South Australia, on 7 September 1881. He was the eldest son of George and Emma Andrew, and attended the local state school in Port Broughton. He was a keen sportsman, and played football, cricket, and tennis, although his greatest passion was for football. At some point in his childhood, probably around 1891, his family moved to Mylor, near Adelaide. Andrew went on to take up farming, and worked as an agent for James Bell and Co.

George Andrew enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in April 1916. He underwent a period of training in Australia and was posted to the machine-gun companies. His departure for overseas service was delayed when he contracted pneumonia and was seriously ill for some weeks. He finally left Melbourne in December 1916, arriving in England two months later. He continued training in Australia, and spent some time in hospital before being posted to the 10th Machine Gun Company. He finally joined his unit in the field in June 1917.

One month later the 10th Machine Gun Company was in the front line near the Belgian town of Messines. At some point on 18 July 1917 Private George Andrew was killed in action. Little is known of the manner of his death, and his body was never recovered. Today he is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Ypres. He was 36 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 George Ernest Thomas Andrew, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Dr Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section