The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (4607) Driver Thomas Wells, 49th 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 Jana Johnston, the story for this day was on (4607) Driver Thomas Wells, 49th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

4607 Driver Thomas Wells, 49th Battalion, AIF
DOW 6 September 1918

Today we remember and pay tribute to Driver Thomas Wells.

Thomas Wells was born on 1 January 1889 to James and Mary Ann Wells of Campbell Town, Tasmania. He was privately educated, possibly at home, and went on to become a farmer in Tasmania. At some point his family broke up, possibly after the death of his father in 1913, and Thomas seems to have spent time living with his sister Mary, whose husband was unable to work much. He contributed financially to her household when he could, and also supported his widowed mother.

Thomas Wells enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in October 1915. He underwent a period of training in Australia before leaving for active service overseas with reinforcements to the 12th Battalion in February 1916. He was first sent to Egypt, where the AIF was undergoing a process of reorganisation and training following the evacuation from Gallipoli. As part of this process, Wells was transferred to the 52nd Battalion, and two months later was sent to France.

The 52nd Battalion’s first experience of a major offensive on the Western Front came near the French village of Pozieres. On 14 August 1916, not far from a German-held position called Mouquet Farm, Driver Wells was caught in the blast from an artillery shell and wounded in the back and arm. He was evacuated to hospital in Rouen for treatment, but was not seriously wounded and returned to his battalion within a month.

On his return to the 52nd Battalion, Wells was appointed to the rank of driver. He continued serving in this capacity, working at the enormous task of transporting supplies, men, ammunition, guns and the myriad requirements of modern war across the battlefield. The task was highly dangerous, and the men regularly came under enemy artillery fire, even if they were a long way behind the front line.

In April 1918 the 52nd Battalion participated in slowing the largest German attack mounted against Australian troops at Dernancourt, and later the same month helped to dislodge the enemy from Villers-Bretonneux. Due to heavy casualties and a lack of reinforcements, however, the battalion was disbanded the following month. As part of this process, Wells was transferred to the 49th Battalion.

On 8 August 1918, the Australian Corps was part of the force to spearhead the major Allied offensive of the year. The 49th Battalion was drawn into the fighting as the line advanced towards the French village of Étinehem in the days after the initial attack. On the 12 August 1918, Driver Thomas Wells was struck in the head by a piece of bursting artillery shell. He was evacuated from the battlefield, eventually reaching hospital in Rouen again. He died there at 3.15 pm on 6 September 1918.

Thomas Wells was buried in the St Sever Cemetery Extension in Rouen, where he lies today under the words “Still in memory his name is written in the hearts he left at home.” He was 30 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 Driver Thomas Wells, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section