The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (1800) Private Henry Egryn Williams, 60th 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 Troy Clayton, the story for this day was on (1800) Private Henry Egryn Williams, 60th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

1800 Private Henry Egryn Williams, 60th Battalion, AIF
Died of wounds 18 August 1916

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Henry Egryn Williams.

Henry Williams was born in 1897 in Collingwood, Victoria, to William and Mary Ann Williams. Here grew up and attended Vere Street State School. He also spent four years in the cadets – the last 18 months as a cadet second lieutenant.

After leaving school, Williams went to work as a print engraver in the Victorian government’s treasury printing office.

Williams enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 17 January 1916. As he was just 18 years old, he obtained the consent of his parents to enlist. After several months training at Royal Park and Broadmeadows Camp, he was allotted to the 2nd reinforcements to the 57th Battalion.

Williams embarked from Melbourne on 4 April 1916 aboard the transport ship Euripides, bound for Egypt. In mid-April, while the ship was stopped in Albany Harbour, Williams and three other men penned a note, sealed it in a bottle and threw it over the side of the ship. Part of the note read: Dear friend, Would you the finder of this message be so kind as to write and let our people know that you found [it] ... and say that we are having a grand time and in the best of health and on our way to Egypt. By doing so, friend, we should be very grateful and only too pleased to hear from you, saying you have found it. Also we may have the pleasure of thanking you again. All four men signed their names on the second page, adding their service numbers, battalions, and the addresses of their families in Victoria.

Arriving in Egypt in May, Williams was transferred to the 60th Battalion. After a month of training, the battalion embarked from Alexandria for France, arriving at Marseilles at the end of June 1916.

After proceeding by train to Steenbecque in northern France, the 60th Battalion was committed to an attack against the Sugar Loaf Salient, a feint to draw German troops away from the allied offensive on the Somme. Aside from fatigue parties, the men were given no chance to enter the front line to gain a proper appreciation of what they had been asked to achieve.

On 17 July, with the attack postponed due to “unfavourable weather”, Williams wrote to his family:
Dear Mother, The time is near at hand for a great offensive and, should I fall, I will be proud to know I did so in the cause of Righteousness and Justice; a death which is honourable both in the sight of God and mankind. This is a great blow to you, but cheer up – for I am sure it is only for a short time till we meet again in the new land. Owen! give every assistance to Mother as a last request. Give my best brotherly wishes to Florrie and Bida. Dad! I have kept your wishes: neither smoked nor taken liquor. Give my regards to all the boys and girls. So good-bye for a short time, I remain, Your faithful son, Henry. God bless you till we meet again.

The 60th Battalion entered the front line during the morning of the 19th of July and the attack began at 6 pm that evening. From the outset, the attack was an unmitigated disaster. The battalion suffered 757 casualties, and virtually ceased to exist.

Williams received severe shrapnel wounds to his left thigh and leg and was evacuated to England, where he was admitted to the Chelmsford Red Cross Hospital.

Despite operations to repair the damage to his leg, Williams remained on the dangerously ill list. On 16 August, his wounds began to haemorrhage but the bleeding was brought under control. Two days later, his wounds haemorrhaged again. This time there was nothing that could be done. According to a report obtained by Miss Vera Deakin, Williams was conscious and uncomplaining until near the end. The staff at the hospital described him as a “delightful boy and loved by everyone”. He was a week short of his 19th birthday.

Henry Williams was laid to rest with full military honours on 21 August 1916 in the Chelmsford (Writtle Road) Cemetery. News of his death devastated his family. His father William (who never got over the shock) died in early February 1919.

Henry Williams’ name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, among almost 62,000 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 Private Henry Egryn Williams, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Michael Kelly
Historian, Military History Section