The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (2149) Lance Sergeant Henry Thomas John McGrath, 3rd 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 (2149) Lance Sergeant Henry Thomas John McGrath, 3rd Battalion, AIF, First World War.

2149 Lance Sergeant Henry Thomas John McGrath, 3rd Battalion, AIF
KIA 5 May 1917
Photograph: H05994

Story delivered 6 June 2017

Today we remember and pay tribute to Lance Sergeant Henry Thomas John McGrath.

Henry McGrath was born in Bega, New South Wales, to John and Sarah McGrath. Known as Harry, he was the eldest of a large family of children. His father died when Harry was quite young, and his mother remarried when he was eight years old. He spent his childhood in Dorrigo, New South Wales, going on to work as a labourer in the district.

Harry McGrath enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in October 1914. After a period of training in Australia he left for active service overseas on board the troopship Themistocles in December. He continued his training in Egypt for some weeks before embarking on the Derfflinger in April 1915. More training on the island of Lemnos followed before the men of the 3rd Battalion departed for Gallipoli.

The 3rd Battalion began landing on Gallipoli at 5.30 am on the morning of 25 April 1915. McGrath remained with his battalion until July, when he was wounded by shrapnel in his back and scalp. He was evacuated and sent to hospital on Malta to recover, missing the battle of Lone Pine in the process. He did not rejoin his battalion on Anzac until late October 1915 and weeks later was evacuated with the rest of the AIF.

McGrath was promoted to lance corporal on his return to Egypt and received steady promotion afterwards, ending with the rank of lance sergeant the following year. He took part in the vicious fighting around the village of Pozières in mid-1916 and other engagements. His friend, Private Sidney Rudkin, recalled how he carried “himself bravely in his numerous engagements … Ever since I knew the lad I’ve seen and heard nothing but praise of him.” McGrath served in his company’s bombing platoon and was a noted participant in raiding operations around Ypres.

In early May 1917 the 3rd Battalion took part in the battles around the French village of Bullecourt. During the attack, McGrath’s platoon bombed enemy positions for 15 hours. On 5 May, while occupying recently-captured ground, the men came under heavy German artillery fire. During one of the barrages in the morning, McGrath was killed in action. His commanding officer, Lieutenant Elliott, later recalled: “[Harry] was in the same trench as we were … your brother fought like a Trojan, and when he was killed it cast a gloom all about us, although we were all fighting for our dear lives and our loved ones at home”.

Elliott wrote to McGrath’s sister to say, “We all loved Harry as he had such a fine disposition … I assure you we avenged Harry’s death on October 4th in the Broodseinde Battle.” Private Rudkin also sent his condolences to McGrath’s family, writing, “We are truly sorry and miss him as we do a brother”.

McGrath was buried not far from where he was killed, but his grave was lost when the Germans recaptured the position. Today he is commemorated on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux. He was 21 years old.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, among more than 60,000 Australians who died while serving in 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 Lance Sergeant Henry Thomas John McGrath, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section