The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (162) Corporal Charles James Lee, 12th 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 Richard Cruise, the story for this day was on (162) Corporal Charles James Lee, 12th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

162 Corporal Charles James Lee, 12th Battalion, AIF
DOW 12 August 1915
Story delivered 6 August 2018

Today we remember and pay tribute to Corporal Charles James Lee.

Charles Lee, known as “Charlie”, was born on 16 October 1894 to James and Amy Lee of Longford, Tasmania. Little is known of his early life, other than that he became a railway porter.

Lee enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force within weeks of the outbreak of war in August 1914. He was posted to the 12th Battalion and underwent a period of training in Australia before leaving with the first contingent in October. The 12th Battalion underwent a period of training in Egypt before leaving for Gallipoli.

The 12 Battalion landed at Anzac Cove in the early hours of the 25th of April 1915. Broken up and distributed among the other three battalions of its brigade, the 12th Battalion suffered heavy casualties from rifle fire. Private Lee survived the confusion of the early days as the 12th Battalion reorganised and became actively involved in establishing and defending the front line of the Australian position on Gallipoli. Lee proved to be an able soldier, and in July was promoted to corporal.

In early August the 12th Battalion lent two companies of men to the force attacking a Turkish position known as Lone Pine. In the early hours of 6 August 1915, the companies entered the front line to reinforce the 1st Battalion and remained, participating in the vicious hand-to-hand fighting.

Corporal Lee was a member of one of these two companies. His friend, Sergeant Almond, recalled what happened that day. He wrote, “our company was ordered to give a hand in the fight, and help with trench digging and shifting sand bags. On the morning of August 8 we occupied a trench from which the Turks had been driven the previous evening. The Turks were bombing us, and that continually, and, my word, if we went near hell it was there. To tell the truth, I just wished I were wounded or killed to get out of it, as it was dreadful to continue. Here Charlie got wounded, and others with him, and before we could get them out some were killed. I got a few boys to get some out, and when Charlie passed me I could not recognise him, he looked so pale.”

Corporal Lee had been shot in the upper thigh, and was evacuated from the peninsula by hospital ship. Four days later, he succumbed to his wounds and died at sea.

Sergeant Almond wrote, “There was not a braver fellow than Charlie, who would go anywhere, and such a good fellow to all. He was always jolly … should you ever see his father, tell him for me that he died a hero’s death, fighting for his King and country.”

Corporal Charles Lee was 20 years old. He was buried at sea the day he died.

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 Corporal Charles James Lee, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section