The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (2336) Private Stanley James Heywood, 33rd 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 (2336) Private Stanley James Heywood, 33rd Battalion, AIF, First World War.

2336 Private Stanley James Heywood, 33rd Battalion, AIF
KIA 30 September 1917
Story delivered 3 August 2018

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Stanley James Heywood.

Stanley Heywood was born on 2 January 1897 in Lochinvar, New South Wales, the eldest of six children born to James and Hannah Heywood. He attended New Menzies Public School before going on to work on the family farm, “The Bluff” in nearby Manilla.

Following the outbreak of the First World War, Heywood enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Armidale, New South Wales, on 2 May 1916. After his initial training, he was allotted to the 4th reinforcements to the 33rd Battalion. He embarked from Sydney on 17 October 1916 aboard the transport ship Borda, bound for England.

After arriving in England in early January 1917, Heywood was sent to a training battalion. He sailed for France in March and after several weeks at Etaples, he joined the 33rd Battalion which was resting at Armentieres.

The 33rd Battalion took part in its first battle at Messines on 7 June. The battalion, along with the rest of 9 Brigade, led the 3rd Division’s assault and captured their objectives. The 33rd Battalion then held the newly won positions for several days and endured heavy German shelling, suffering heavy casualties as a result. The battalion rotated in and out of the front line at Messines until August when it was withdrawn for a rest.

In the early hours of 30 September, the 33rd Battalion returned to the frontline near Zonnebeke, relieving several British battalions. During the morning, the battalion suffered three fatal casualties, one of whom was Heywood.

The manner of his death was not recorded, and his remains were not recovered. He was 20 years old.

Today Heywood 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 Stanley James Heywood, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Michael Kelly
Historian, Military History Section