The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (QX17127) Private Noel James Quinn, 2/25th Australian Infantry Battalion, AIF, Second 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 , the story for this day was on (QX17127) Private Noel James Quinn, 2/25th Australian Infantry Battalion, AIF, Second World War.

QX17127 Private Noel James Quinn, 2/25th Australian Infantry Battalion
KIA: 10 July 1941

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Noel James Quinn.

Noel Quinn was born on 2 June 1920 in Winton, Queensland, one of three sons born to shearer Cornelius Quinn and his wife Isabel. Noel received his early education at Billy’s Creek School, and later won a scholarship to attend Grafton High School. He was a keen sportsman, especially known as a cricket player. At the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, Noel was living in Albion, Queensland, and working for the post master general’s department as a telephone mechanic.

Noel Quinn enlisted in the Second Australian Imperial Force on 22 July 1940 in Brisbane. He was assigned to the ranks of the 2/25th Battalion and commenced a short period of training at Grovely, and later in Darwin, where he specialised as a signaller. Following a short period of leave in March 1941, Private Quinn embarked for active service, sailing from Sydney on 7 April 1941.

Quinn and his comrades arrived in Egypt in early May. From there, they moved into the desert to join the 25th Brigade of the 7th Division. Quinn’s unit spent the first few weeks of active service manning defensive positions on the Egyptian-Libyan frontier at Mersa Matruh. At the end of May, the 2/25th returned to Palestine in preparation for the invasion of Syria and Lebanon which began on 8 June 1941. After the fall of France in June 1940, the Vichy state emerged as collaborators with Nazi Germany. The 40,000-strong Vichy-loyal French forces in Syria and Lebanon posed a serious threat to the Allies in the Middle East, and had to be defeated.

Initially held in reserve as the 25th Brigade advanced into eastern Lebanon, Quinn’s battalion was reunited in time to confront Vichy French forces at the inland town of Merdjayoun. Given little time to prepare, the 2/25th made its advance on 19 June and was immediately confronted by enemy tanks, heavy machine-gun fire and shelling. It managed to advance as far as the northern outskirts of the town before being driven back to the top of the ridge when the enemy counter attacked. At nightfall, Quinn’s battalion was forced to withdraw, suffering heavy casualties, including the loss of 50 men who were taken prisoner.

Following the ill-fated attack at Merdjayoun, Quinn’s battalion was placed under temporary command of the 21st Brigade. It was next tasked with securing a route from the coast to the inland town of Beit ed Dine, about 25 kilometres southwest of Beirut. The men were actively harassed by the enemy’s artillery while engaged in patrols of the area. On 10 July 1941, Quinn and his comrades were readying themselves for an attack on enemy lines when their position was shelled. Among the dead, was Private Noel Quinn.

Quinn was buried near where he fell. Today, his remains lie buried at Beirut War Cemetery in Lebanon beneath the inscription chosen by his family: “We who loved him best miss him most.”

Private Noel Quinn was 21 years old.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my left, among almost 40,000 Australians who died while serving in the Second 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 Noel James Quinn, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Meghan Adams
Researcher, Military History Section