The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (2256) Lance Corporal Cuthbert William Debenham Wheeldon, 45th 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 Richard Cruise, the story for this day was on (2256) Lance Corporal Cuthbert William Debenham Wheeldon, 45th Battalion, First World War.

2256 Lance Corporal Cuthbert William Debenham Wheeldon, 45th Battalion
KIA 19 August 1918

Today we remember and pay tribute to Lance Corporal Cuthbert William Debenham Wheeldon.

Cuthbert Wheeldon, known to his family as “Billy”, was born in 1894 to Henry and Emily Wheeldon of Gladstone, New South Wales. His father was “a successful farmer, well known and respected throughout the whole of the Macleay Valley”. Cuthbert attended the Gladstone Public School and went on to work as a farmer and grazier in the district.

Cuthbert Wheeldon enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in early 1916. Before he left Gladstone, he was noticed singing a song called “Some Time We’ll Understand” whenever anyone saw him around town. He went into camp in Australia to undertake military training, and left Australia for active service abroad in August 1916 with reinforcements to the 45th Battalion.

Private Wheeldon was first sent to England, where he continued training until the end of the year, joining his battalion in France in January 1917. That year his battalion acted in reserve during the first battle of Bullecourt in March 1917, and went on to play an important role at Messines the following June.

In October the battalion took part in the battle of Passchendaele. The day before the operation went ahead, Private Wheeldon was wounded in the front line, but refused to leave and took part in the attack. He was still with his battalion in January, having recovered from his wound. He continued to display exemplary service, and in April 1918 was promoted to lance corporal.

In the spring of 1918 the 45th Battalion played a crucial role in slowing the German offensive around Dernancourt, and went on to participate in the battle of Amiens. Launched on 8 August 1918, this was the opening move of the great British offensive of that year. The 45th Battalion was successful in capturing some 400 German prisoners and 30 artillery pieces during the operation.

Lance Corporal Wheeldon remained with his battalion as it continued to work its way along the Somme River. On 18 September 1918 the 45th Battalion took part in an operation near Le Verguier attempting to capture the outposts to the Hindenburg Line. The following day, Lance Corporal Cuthbert Wheeldon was killed in action.

There were conflicting accounts of his death. Initial reports indicated that he was killed by an artillery shell. However, people who knew him and were present when he was killed made reports that were considered more accurate. Wheeldon was in charge of an advanced Lewis Gun post and was sniping at a nearby enemy position. As he looked over the parapet to see if he could get a better shot, he was sniped through the head, and died a few minutes later.

Several weeks later a memorial service to the late Cuthbert Wheeldon was conducted in the Gladstone Hall. The vicar said “that amongst the… Australian heroes who had laid down their lives for righteousness and liberty none was a truer sample of manhood than Cuthbert Wheeldon, who was so well and favourably known throughout the Macleay district.” A local man sang “Some Time We’ll Understand” – the song Wheeldon had been heard singing so often before leaving.

Today Private Wheeldon is buried in Fouquescourt British Cemetery, and is further commemorated in a “beautiful window” donated to St Barnabas’ Church of England in Gladstone by his parents.
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 Cuthbert William Debenham Wheeldon, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section