The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (12754) Private Arthur Sydney Reedman, 11th Australian Field Ambulance, 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 Gerard Pratt, the story for this day was on (12754) Private Arthur Sydney Reedman, 11th Australian Field Ambulance, First World War.

12754 Private Arthur Sydney Reedman, 11th Australian Field Ambulance
KIA 17 October 1917
Photograph: None in collection


Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Arthur Sydney Reedman.

Arthur Reedman, known as “Dick”, was born on the 20th of July 1891 to Edward and Rose Reedman of Adelaide. He grew up in and around the suburb of Walkerville, where he attended the local state school. He was described as “one of the best-known and loved of the young men in Walkerville … a true Christian lad, of genial, impulsive disposition, and an ardent and successful sportsman.” He went on to become a blacksmith, and in the years before the war was employed at the motor works in Adelaide.

Dick Reedman first enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in September 1915. After a month in camp, however, he came before the medical board and was diagnosed in the terms of the time as being “insane”. It was determined that his condition, later described as “acute melancholia”, had been brought on by excessive responsibilities resulting from rapid promotion and excited by the military conditions of camp. Although it was later recognised that he had completely recovered, it was recommended that he be discharged as permanently unfit in case any form of insanity return under duress.

Nevertheless, Dick Reedman successfully re-enlisted in the AIF in January 1916. This time he completed his period of training in Australia, and he left Adelaide on board the troopship Suevic in May 1916 for active service overseas. Reedman was posted to the 11th Field Ambulance and was first sent to England to continue training. It seems he became more frustrated as time went by as he first went absent from parade in September, and then absent without leave for a day in November. Shortly after this second offence, Reedman was sent to France to serve on the Western Front.

Little is known of Reedman’s service in France and Belgium. He arrived there in November 1916, and until October the following year there is no note on his record – he was not wounded, did not leave his unit, and importantly for his story, there is no record of the return of any mental illness. Instead, Reedman seems to have been able to serve as a stretcher bearer and medical orderly without incident.

In mid-October the 11th Field Ambulance had been active in the front lines around Ypres for some time. On the 17th of October 1917 Private Dick Reedman was carrying a stretcher case with three other men when a shell landed directly on the stretcher, killing the patient and the four bearers. Dick’s brother, also serving in France, reportedly identified the body.

Reedman’s best friend, George Pearce, later wrote, “I feel that there is a big blank without him. We were inseparable … I miss him horribly, but the remembrance of the many, many pleasant hours spent together is very sweet to me. I cannot speak too highly of him. Our friendship has bene one of the most beautiful things in my life.”

Today Dick Reedman is buried in the Ypres Reservoir Cemetery in Belgium. He was 26 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 Arthur Sydney Reedman, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section
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