The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (5178) Private George Henry Spinks, 52nd 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 tristan Rallings, the story for this day was on (5178) Private George Henry Spinks, 52nd Battalion, AIF, First World War.

5178 Private George Henry Spinks, 52nd Battalion, AIF
KIA 3 September 1916


Today we remember and pay tribute to Private George Henry Spinks.

George Spinks was born on 22 June 1891, the son of Charles and Rachel Spinks of Penguin, Tasmania. When George was seven years old, his ten-year old sister Elvie died of a heart condition. George was probably educated locally, and went on to work with his father as a baker.

Spinks enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in early January 1916. On enlistment he allotted some of his pay to go to a Miss May Fielding in Penguin, but his relationship to her was not clear. He underwent a period of training in Australia, and went home for final leave in February. He and a number of other recruits, including some of his relatives, were enthusiastically farewelled at a social in Penguin, and left Australia with reinforcements to the 12th Battalion in March 1916.

Private Spinks was first sent to Egypt, and continued on to France where he was transferred to the 52nd Battalion. Not long after his arrival his battalion moved into position in the lines directly behind the recently captured village of Pozieres. Spinks’s company moved closer to the front to supply working parties, while the other three companies undertook training. After two days of working in close proximity to the front line, Spinks was wounded in the head and back by shell fragments. His wounds were not serious, however, and he returned to his battalion after treatment.

Roughly three weeks later, in early September 1916, the 52nd Battalion took part in an attack to capture the heavily fortified Mouquet Farm to the north of Pozieres. The attack was launched in the early hours of 3 September, after “fierce and bloody hand to hand conflict” the battalion was able capture its objectives within hours. However, other Australian battalions struggled to advance, and the attack ultimately failed, with heavy casualties. It is likely that the 52nd Battalion had also not advanced far enough, and was confused when reporting that it had taken its objectives.

On the morning of the attack, Corporal Richard Barness was wounded and made his way back for treatment. On the way he came across Private George Spinks lying in a shell-hole with “some terrible stomach wounds”. Barness said “he was quite conscious and did not appear in much pain. I took his equipment off and made him as comfortable as possible. I had to leave him there and go back. I do not think he could live.”

George Spinks never returned to his battalion, and probably died on his own in that shell-hole. His body was later recovered, and today he is buried in the Courcelette British Cemetery. He was 25 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 George Henry Spinks, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section