The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (2648) Private David Gray Findlay, 47th 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 (2648) Private David Gray Findlay, 47th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

2648 Private David Gray Findlay, 47th Battalion, AIF
KIA 7 June 1917

Story delivered 24 June 2018


Today we remember and pay tribute to Private David Gray Findlay.

David Findlay was born on 23 October 1887 in Yengarie, Queensland, to John and Jessie Findlay. He grew up on the family farm at Maroondan and attended Sharon State School and then Bullyard State School. After leaving school, he worked on the family property as a farmer.

Following the outbreak of the First World War, Findlay enlisted in Bundaberg on 20 June 1916. He was sent to Brisbane for his initial training, after which, he was allotted to the 6th reinforcements to the 47th Battalion.

He embarked with other reinforcements from Brisbane on 27 October 1916 aboard the transport ship Marathon, bound for England. After disembarking in England in early January 1917, he was sent to a training battalion to prepare for the fighting on the Western Front.

At the beginning of February, Findlay was hospitalised for one month with an illness. In late March, he was sent to France and joined the 47th Battalion at the beginning of April. He again reported sick in mid-April and spent the next six days in hospital, missing the disastrous battle of Bullecourt.

The 47th Battalion next took part in the battle of Messines where it suffered heavy casualties, one of whom was Findlay. The manner of his death was not recorded and though he had reportedly been buried by his comrades, his grave could not be located following the war. A court of enquiry held on 24 November established that he had been killed on 7 June 1917. He was 29 years old.

Today he is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres.

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 David Gray Findlay, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Michael Kelly
Historian, Military History Section