The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (1758A) Private Philip Wilkins, 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 Dennis Stockman, the story for this day was on (1758A) Private Philip Wilkins, 3rd Battalion, AIF First World War.

1758A Private Philip Wilkins, 3rd Battalion, AIF
KIA 9 April 1917

Story delivered 18 February 2018

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Philip Wilkins.

Philip Wilkins was born on 13 September 1893 in Bombala, New South Wales, to George and Jessie Wilkins. He grew up in Double Bay and attended Fort Street and Sydney Grammar Schools. He went on to study at Sydney Technical School and qualified as an analytical chemist.

Following the outbreak of the First World War, Wilkins, then aged 22, enlisted in Sydney on 8 December 1914. He joined the 1st Field Ambulance and was allotted to the 3rd reinforcements. On the 11th of February 1915 he sailed with his unit from Sydney aboard the transport ship Seang Choon, bound for Egypt.

After some time in Egypt, Wilkins was sent to Gallipoli and was seconded to a British casualty clearing station in June. However, his health broke down and he was evacuated to Egypt.

By December, his health had improved, but it was thought some time back in Australia would be beneficial. During the voyage home, he served as a nurse and at times as a mess orderly.

Wilkins arrived back in Australia in February 1916, and when his health recovered, he transferred to the infantry. After his initial training, he was allotted to the 20th reinforcements to the 3rd Battalion. He embarked from Sydney on 9 September aboard the transport Euripides.

After reaching England in October 1916, Wilkins spent nearly two months in a training battalion before sailing to France. Here, on 19 December, he was taken on strength of the 3rd Battalion, which was resting out of the line. The battalion endured the bitter winter of 1916 and 1917, rotating in and out of the front line.

As winter gave way to spring, the German army began its withdrawal to the formidable Hindenburg Line. The Australian battalions were involved in pursuing the Germans. By early April 1917, the 3rd Battalion was in front of Hermies, a heavily-defended outpost town in front of the Hindenburg Line.

On the 9th of April the 2nd and 3rd Battalions attacked and, after some heavy fighting, took the town. Both battalions suffered heavy casualties, one of whom was Wilkins. He was laid to rest in the Beaumetz Cross Roads Military Cemetery. He was 23 years old.

His 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 Philip Wilkins, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Michael Kelly
Historian, Military History Section