The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (1141) Private James Andrew Herbert Heyman, 2nd 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 Craig Berelle, the story for this day was on (1141) Private James Andrew Herbert Heyman, 2nd Battalion, AIF, First World War.

1141 Private James Andrew Herbert Heyman, 2nd Battalion, AIF
KIA 20 May 1915


Today we remember and pay tribute to Private James Andrew Herbert Heyman.

James Heyman was born in 1883, the eldest son of William and Emma Heyman of Nundle, New South Wales. He was educated at the local public school in Nundle, and later became a selector in the Tamworth district. He was known to be an expert kangaroo shooter, and his father described him as “without doubt one of Australia’s leading marksmen.”

James Heyman enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force within weeks of the outbreak of war in 1914. After a period of training, he left Australia for active service overseas on 22 December 1914 with reinforcements to the 2nd Battalion. After arriving in Egypt, Heyman continued training in the desert for several weeks before leaving for Gallipoli.

The 2nd Battalion came ashore at Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915 as part of the second and third waves. The men were quickly sent forward to the heights, where advanced parties were trying to establish a line. Over the following days the men worked continuously to defend their shaky position.

In the early hours of 19 May 1915, Turkish forces attacked the Australian line in force. The 2nd Battalion had been prepared for the attack, and were able to repel wave after wave of the enemy as they came, inflicting heavy losses. Private Heyman was in the front line of the attack, according to another Nundle soldier there, and reportedly “accounted for about 100 Turks.” Not long afterwards, however, he fell “mortally wounded with a bullet through his temple.”

Private James Heyman is officially recorded as having been killed in action on 20 May 1915. His body was recovered from the battlefield and buried by his mates. Today he lies in the Lone Pine Cemetery at Anzac under the simple epitaph “he gave his life for home and country.” He was 32 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 James Andrew Herbert Heyman, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section