The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of

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 Tom Rodgers, the story for this day was on (6097) Private Peter Herbert Feuins, 27th Battalion, First World War.

6097 Private Peter Herbert Feuins, 27th Battalion
KIA 5 May 1917
Photograph: No photograph in collection


Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Peter Herbert Feuins.

Peter Feuins, known as “Bert”, was born on 13 September 1897, the son of Peter and Rose Feuins of Moonta, South Australia. Peter was their older child. His birth was followed by that of his sister, Doris, two years later. In 1900 Doris died, followed by his father just a month later. In 1901 Peter’s mother Rose married Jeff Harris, and Peter eventually had three half-brothers.

Peter was educated at the Moonta Public School, and later travelled to Adelaide where he undertook an apprenticeship as a wickerworker for Mr James of Peel Street. His mother later said that he was “the making of a splendid tradesman”, and his employer always spoke very highly of him.

Although young, Peter Feuins tried to enlist a number of times early in the war. In September 1916 he was successful in enlisting under the assumed name of “Steele Bertram Harris”, raising his age from 19 to 21 to avoid needing parental permission to enlist. He underwent a period of training in Australia before leaving for active service overseas with the 17th reinforcements to the 27th Battalion. At some point he admits his true name, and becomes known as “Peter Harris” once again.

Another member of the 17th reinforcements was Miller Fergusson, who, at 15 years old, was also underage and from the same district in South Australia. They do not seem to have known each other before the war, but became particular mates after enlisting. The two spent time in England training on the Salisbury Plain, and early April 1917 were sent to France to fight on the Western Front.
Towards the end of April, the 27th Battalion entered the front line near the French village of Noreuil. On 3 May the battalion held their portion of the front line as other Australian troops attacked the nearby village of Bullecourt, suffering heavy casualties. This brought a sustained German artillery bombardment down on the Australian line.
While in the front line, Feuins carried a number of messages to the company commander on behalf of his platoon sergeant, at considerable personal risk. On 5 May Private Feuins was in a dugout with three others when a German shell scored a direct hit. One man was killed outright, and the other three wounded, Feuins badly. He was carried to a dressing station by a Lieutenant Seed, who stayed with him until he died a short time later.

Feuins’ platoon Sergeant later reported that it was “his first time in the line and I may add in passing that he did his job like a man, and for one so young and inexperienced couldn’t have done better”.

Miller Fergusson was also killed by artillery fire on 5 May 1917, although it is not possible to know if he was in the dugout with Peter Feuins, or was killed in another blast. He was 16 years old. In 1918 the Fergusson family put a memorial notice in the paper for their son Miller, and also for their son’s mate, Bert Feuins. The notice read
We knew you not in life, Bert, but you were his friend; and to-day you rest beside him for ours and Australia’s sakes.
In the years since the battlefield cemeteries have been reorganised, and today the two mates are in different cemeteries not far from each other. Feuins’ epitaph reads “so dearly loved and sadly missed at home.” He was 19 years old.

Their names are 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 Peter Herbert Feuins, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section