The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (2008) Lance Corporal James Stanley Varley Stark, 18th 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 Jana Johnson, the story for this day was on (2008) Lance Corporal James Stanley Varley Stark, 18th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

2008 Lance Corporal James Stanley Varley Stark, 18th Battalion, AIF
KIA 5 August 1916
Story delivered 17 March 2018

Today we remember and pay tribute to Lance Corporal James Stanley Varley Stark.

James Stark, known as “Stanley”, was born in 1896 to William and Sarah Stark, of the Sydney suburb of Burwood. After attending the Petersham Superior Public School, he went on to work as a clerk. He was also an active member of the Methodist Church, and a long-time member of the Sunday school at the church at Croydon. Stanley enjoyed the outdoors, particularly camping, and what his friend described as “all manly athletic exercises”. Stanley Stark was known generally as a “cheerful, devout, earnest, genial [young man], with a pleasant smile and kindly word for all”.

Stark enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in June 1915. He was posted to the 18th Battalion, and after a period of training in Australia for active service overseas on board the troopship Runic in August 1915.

Stark arrived on Gallipoli late in the campaign, not long after the 18th Battalion suffered considerable casualties at the attack on Hill 60. He proved an able soldier, serving as temporary corporal. In mid-October 1915 he was wounded and had to be evacuated to Egypt to recover in hospital, losing his temporary rank in the process. After two months he was discharged to light duties, returning to his battalion for active service in the new year, after the evacuation from Gallipoli.

The 18th Battalion arrived in France to fight on the Western Front in March 1916, the same month that Stanley Stark’s older brother Marlon enlisted in the AIF in Australia. In July, Stanley Stark was promoted to lance corporal, and a few weeks later the 18th Battalion became involved in its first major action at the village of Pozieres.

In early August 1916 the battalion was holding the front line near the Albert–Bapaume Road under almost constant shell-fire. On the 5th of August the 18th Battalion’s war diary records that their “position was shelled furiously and continuously”. Nevertheless, the men were pressed on to consolidate their position, working “vigorously and successfully” to repair damaged walls and deepen trenches.

Lance Corporal Stanley Stark was one of many men who did not make it out of the front line. He was initially thought to have been evacuated to England with shell shock, but later investigations revealed that he had been killed in the heavy artillery fire, and buried in the front line where he fell.

In November 1916 a memorial service was held in Stark’s honour in his home church in Croydon. During the service, the minister said that Stanley Stark “loved his church; he had gone forth strong in faith, knowing the personal risk he undertook, but with a brave determination to make whatever sacrifice, even life itself, if necessary, in the cause of righteousness.”

Stark’s body was recovered from the battlefield and today he lies in Pozieres British Cemetery. His father chose a Bible reference for his epitaph – Philippians Chapter 1 Verse 3 – the same verse read at Stark’s memorial service. The verse reads, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” Stanley Stark was 20 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 Lance Corporal James Stanley Varley Stark, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section