The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (NX73998) Warrant Officer Class 2 Victor Keith Tutt, 2/39 Light Aid Detachment, Second Australian Imperial Force, Second 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 (NX73998) Warrant Officer Class 2 Victor Keith Tutt, 2/39 Light Aid Detachment, Second Australian Imperial Force, Second World War.

NX73998 Warrant Officer Class 2 Victor Keith Tutt, 2/39 Light Aid Detachment, Second Australian Imperial Force
Drowned in an accident 21 July 1945

Story delivered 29 April 2017

Today we pay tribute to Warrant Officer Class 2 Victor Tutt.

Victor Keith Tutt was born on 22 November 1908 in Stanthorpe, in southeast Queensland, one of five children born to Victor and Alice Tutt.

The family moved to Glen Innes in the New England region of northern New South Wales where the young Victor Keith Tutt served an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic with Dufty and Son.

He was later employed in Mr A.C. Alcock’s garage before taking a position in a Bundarra garage.

While at Bundarra, Tutt was married to Una Joyce Doak. Together they had two daughters, Kaye and Lola.

Residing in Glen Innes, Tutt joined the staff of Black and White transport, where he was a bus driver on the Glenn Innes–Inverell service.

Tutt was well known in his community. He was involved in the Glen Innes Boy Scouts along with his father, who was the scout master. He had a reputation as a prominent swimmer in the district. And he was also a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Ancient Order of Foresters.

The local newspaper, the Glenn Innes Examiner, said that in all his associations Tutt was “esteemed and admired for his manly qualities and his zealous regard for the worthwhile things of life”. He was widely known as a capable and reliable bus driver, “but as much for his courtesy and consideration … attributes that inspired complete confidence and a warm regard”. He was popular with all who travelled with him and won “universal goodwill and esteem”.

Tutt worked for Black and White until his enlistment in the Second Australian Imperial Force on 18 November 1941, at the age of 33.

Being a bus driver and mechanic in the transport industry was on the list of reserved occupations, which was devised to prevent the voluntary enlistment of skilled workers from essential services. But despite performing an important duty that was recognised as an essential service, Tutt was sent white feathers in the mail by an anonymous correspondent – an accusation of cowardice. After this he could no longer hold back his sense of duty, and volunteered.

Following his enlistment, Tutt was posted to the 216 Light Aid Detachment. In March 1943 he embarked for overseas service, travelling to Milne Bay at the eastern tip of the Territory of Papua. After a year he returned to Australia before being sent again back to Papua in September 1944, this time to Port Moresby.

In November 1944 he flew to Townsville where he undertook a further course at the mechanical school in Redbank, Queensland. Tutt topped his class, passing with a distinction.

Returning to Port Moresby in February, Tutt was posted to the 2/39 Light Aid Detachment.

On 21 July 1945, Tutt was killed when he drowned in an accident.

He was 36 years old.

His body is buried in the Bomana War Cemetery in Port Moresby.

His name is listed here on the Roll of Honour on my left, among some 40,000 Australians who died while serving in the Second World War.

This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Warrant Officer Class 2 Victor Keith Tutt, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Lachlan Grant
Historian, Military History Section