The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (231) Private Walter Price, 22nd 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 Greg Kimball, the story for this day was on (231) Private Walter Price, 22nd Battalion, AIF, First World War.

231 Private Walter Price, 22nd Battalion, AIF
KIA 21 November 1915

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Walter Price.

Walter Price was born on 8 November 1890 to William and Annie Price. He was born and began his education in Peechelba, near Wangaratta. The family later moved to Lima South, near Benalla, where William Price became a pioneer in strawberry and raspberry growing. Walter continued his education, and went on to work as a farmer, most likely on the family farm.

Walter Price enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in early January 1915. He underwent a period of training in Australia before being posted to the newly-formed 22nd Battalion, leaving for active service overseas in May 1915. The 22nd Battalion first went to Egypt, where the men continued training in the desert. In August 1915, Private Price was posted as medically unfit for a period of time, and served on lighter duties before being sent to a training battalion in Zeitoun.

The 22nd Battalion finally reached the Gallipoli Peninsula in the first week of September 1915. Walter was sent to join them a week later. They had arrived after the major offensives had died down and were not called on to conduct any major attacks. However, the Gallipoli Peninsula was still a perilous place to be, with constant danger from snipers and artillery fire.

On 21 November, just before dawn, Private Price and another man, Private Adam, were standing near the parapet. Adam recalled that Price “was in great spirits at the time … he was telling me what he was going to do when he got home.” As Price finished talking, a sniper shot him in the side of the head. A doctor was nearby and quickly rendered treatment, but Price died on the way to hospital near the beach. Price’s platoon commander, Lieutenant Davis, called it “an unlucky shot”, and wrote to Price’s parents to say, “so passed away one of my best lads. Try and let the thought comfort you that he died nobly doing his duty. Greater honour hath no man than that.”

Others also wrote to the Prices in Lima South to express their sorrow at Walter’s death. The Reverend Bennett, a chaplain, wrote to say “we all valued him for his quiet, sterling worth … today his comrades are mourning a friend.” His captain wrote, “I can assure you that his comrades soon avenged his death. Private Price was one of my best men when with A Company—neat, reliable and a hard worker. He was a fine soldier, and I feel his death very much.”

Private Walter Price was buried in Ari Burnu Cemetery, near Anzac Cove. In Australia his portrait was put up in the local state school in Benalla, in hopes that the students would learn a lesson “in heroism and self-sacrifice” from the old scholar.

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 Walter Price, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section