The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (3471) Private Edward John Colbert, 27th 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 Melanie Cassar, the story for this day was on (3471) Private Edward John Colbert, 27th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

3471 Private Edward John Colbert, 27th Battalion, AIF
KIA: 15 April 1917

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Edward John Colbert.

Edward Colbert was born in Kapunda, South Australia, on 16 December 1892, the second of three surviving sons of James and Sarah Colbert.

He grew up around Kapunda and attended the Dominican Convent School. By the time the First World War began he was working as a farm labourer on his family’s property.

He enlisted for service in the Australian Imperial Force at Adelaide on 18 August 1915. After initial training he was allotted to the 8th reinforcements to the 27th Battalion. On 12 January 1916, he embarked along with other reinforcements from Outer Harbour, Adelaide aboard the transport ship Borda, bound for Egypt.

After arriving in Egypt, Colbert was transferred to the 10th Battalion. After further training, in late March he embarked with his battalion for the war in France.

The 10th Battalion was sent to Strazeele for further training and entered the front line for the first time in early June. On 22 June, Colbert was evacuated and hospitalised with an abscess on his right thigh. After being treated, he was sent to Boulogne to recuperate.

Colbert returned to the 10th Battalion at the beginning of September. At this time the battalion was in the Ypres sector, having been heavily involved in the battles of Pozieres and Mouquet Farm.

In October the 10th Battalion returned to the Somme and took over positions near Gueudecourt. With the onset of winter, the weather became wet and cold; trenches became muddy and more unpleasant. On 12 November, Colbert was evacuated suffering from trench feet. He was away from the battalion for five weeks while he recovered.

In February 1917 the Germans began withdrawing to their prepared fortifications known as the Hindenburg Line. The Australians were involved in the follow up operations, and by early April the 10th Battalion was occupying front line positions near Louverval.

In the early hours of 15 April, the Germans launched a heavy attack along the Australian line, which the 10th Battalion was involved in repelling. The Australians suffered over 1,000 casualties. Among the dead was Edward Colbert.

His body was recovered and laid to rest in the Mouvres Communal Cemetery Extension near Cambrai. He was 25 years old.

The Colbert family had already suffered loss during the war. Edward’s brother William had died of illness in Egypt in September 1915 before he could reach Gallipoli.

Edward Colbert’s 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 Edward John Colbert, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Michael Kelly
Historian, Military History Section