The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (8995) Private Albert Leslie Connor, 4th Australian Field Ambulance, 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 Joanne Smedley, the story for this day was on (8995) Private Albert Leslie Connor, 4th Australian Field Ambulance, AIF, First World War.

8995 Private Albert Leslie Connor, 4th Australian Field Ambulance, AIF
KIA 20 October 1917

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Albert Leslie Connor.

Albert Connor was born in 1897, joining the ranks of the large family of Patrick and Edith Connor, and soon being known simply as “Bert”.

Although born in Harden, a small town near Canberra and the Riverina Region in south-west New South Wales, he grew up in the Sydney suburb of Dulwich Hill. Here he undertook his schooling before he found work as a clerk.

In July 1915, Connor enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force. He was only 18 years old, so he brought a letter of consent signed by his father.

As he was serving with the Australian Army Medical Corps, he was allocated to reinforcements to the 5th Field Ambulance, which had been raised earlier in the year to provide casualty evacuation and surgery support to the 5th Brigade.

On 15 January 1916, Albert Connor embarked at Sydney, bound for the Middle East. After a short period of time in the training camps outside Cairo, in March he proceeded to France to join his unit on the Western Front.

The 5th Brigade’s first major action took place around the village of Pozieres. Official historian Charles Bean later wrote that Pozieres ridge "is more densely sown with Australian sacrifice than any other place on earth."

On the second day of fighting, Connor was evacuated from the battlefield, suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen. He was sent to England for treatment, rest and recuperation. After recovering and a period of furlough, he returned to duty in October, heading back to France and joining his new unit, the 4th Field Ambulance, on 11 November 1916.

After enduring the bitter winter of 1916 to 1917, in April 1917 the 4th Brigade was involved in heavy fighting around Bullecourt and suffered heavy casualties. As the Germans withdrew to the Hindenburg Line, the Brigade took part in the battle of Lagnicourt, the second battle of Bullecourt, and the battle of Poelcappelle.

On 28 October, Connor was operating as a stretcher bearer when a shell burst in front of a relay shelter, killing him and a wounded man he was carrying out. A witness reported that “His body was brought down by his mates and he was buried at Poperinge.”

Today his remains lie in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery under the epitaph chosen by his family: “Have mercy upon him Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him.”

Albert Connor was 20 years old.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, among more than 60,000 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 Albert Connor, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Duncan Beard
Editor, Military History Section