The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (1615) Private Cecil James Baxter, 56th Battalion, 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 Joanne Smedley, the story for this day was on (1615) Private Cecil James Baxter, 56th Battalion, First World War.

1615 Private Cecil James Baxter, 56th Battalion
DOW 22 July 1916
Story delivered 20 May 2018

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Cecil James Baxter.

Cecil Baxter was born in 1897 to David and Frances Baxter of the Sydney suburb of Burwood. He attended the local school and went on to work as a general carrier in the district. A member of the local citizens’ forces, by early 1916 he had spent two years serving with the 40th Battalion based in Burwood.

Baxter enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces in February 1916. He underwent a period of training in Australia before leaving Sydney for active service overseas on board the troopship Ceramic. He first travelled to Egypt, where he joined the 56th Battalion. Three weeks later he left Egypt on board the troopship Huntsend to fight on the Western Front in France.

Within a week of entering the front line, Private Cecil Baxter took part in the battle of Fromelles. At 6pm on 19 July 1916 troops of the 5th Australian and 61st British Divisions attacked strongly-defended German positions. Meeting heavy opposition, within 14 hours the attack had failed, and the Australians were forced to withdraw. The 5th Australian Division had suffered more than five and a half thousand casualties.

One of those wounded was Private Cecil Baxter. He was hit by artillery fire in the early hours of 20 July, and was evacuated from the battlefield with one arm blown off, and severe wounds to his torso. He survived for two days, but died of his wounds in the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station on 22 July.

Private Cecil Baxter was buried in the local cemetery at Estaires, where he lies today under the words “Greater love hath no man: he laid down his life for his friends.”

Cecil Baxter was 22 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 Cecil James Baxter, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section