The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (1609) Lieutenant Herman Edgar Mengersen, 25th 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 Gerard Pratt, the story for this day was on (1609) Lieutenant Herman Edgar Mengersen, 25th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

1609 Lieutenant Herman Edgar Mengersen, 25th Battalion, AIF
DOW 22nd September 1917

Today we remember and pay tribute to Lieutenant Herman Edgar Mengersen.

Herman Mengersen was born on 7 December 1893 in Palmer, South Australia, one of seven children born to Henry and Emilie Mengersen. He received his education at Adelaide’s Hahndorf Academy and later Palmer State School. He began work in his hometown as a storekeeper.

Herman Mengersen enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 13 May 1915 at the age of 21. His brother Charles had enlisted some months earlier; remaining brothers Irwin and Norman would enlist shortly after. Assigned to the 22nd Battalion, he embarked from Brisbane aboard the troopship Aeneas at the end of June 1915.

Arriving on the Gallipoli Peninsula in September 1915, he was promoted to corporal. After the peninsula was evacuated in November, Mengersen travelled to France, and in August 1916 was promoted to 2nd lieutenant. Shortly afterwards, Mengersen became ill and was sent to England where he spent several months in hospital. After his recovery he took on administrative duties until re-joining his battalion in May 1917.

After re-joining his unit, Mengersen was again in the firing line during the battle of Menin Road, part of a larger offensive known as Third Ypres, or Passchendaele. Tasked with taking the high ground along the ridge that intersected with Menin Road, advancing infantry faced well-entrenched German defensive positions including concrete bunkers and barbed wire. Though the attack was largely successful, this did not come without cost. By the end of the battle, more than 5,000 casualties had been sustained across the two participating divisions.

Mengersen was leading his company in an attack on the morning of 20 September when he was severely wounded by a shell blast. He was evacuated to an advanced dressing station, but little could be done for him. He was treated for his wounds over two days before succumbing to his injuries on 22 September 1917. He was 24 years old.

Lieutenant Herman Mengersen was buried at Menin Road South Military Cemetery in Belgium, beneath the words chosen by his bereft family:

“Honoured by all who knew him, beloved by those who were his friends.”

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 Lieutenant Herman Edgar Mengersen, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Meghan Adams
Researcher, Australian War Memorial