SERVICE PERSON RESEARCH
SERVICE PERSON DETAILS
Service Person’s Name
Philip Bergin
Rank
Private
Service Number
3687
Regiment/Unit or
Ship or Squadron
15th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement
Unit from Nominal Roll – 15th Battalion
Date of Birth
1889
Place of Birth
Bundaberg, Queensland
Family Details
Father: Steve Bergin, Ross River Meat Works, Townsville,
Queensland
Marital status: single
Age at Enlistment
27
Place of Enlistment
Townsville, Queensland
Date of Death
8 August 1916
Place of Death
Mouquet Farm, Pozieres, France
Cemetery or
Memorial Name
Grave or Memorial
Number
Cemetery – No known grave
Australian National Memorial Villers Bretonneux
Memorial Number - 74
PHOTO:
Portrait of Private Philip Bergin. He has no known grave.
Source: Australian War Memorial, 2014 Australian War Memorial 2015, Collection – Philip Bergin
http://www.awm.gov.au/people/P10248394/collection-items/?Collection-Type=Photograph (accessed
January 19, 2015)
SERVICE PERSON’S STORY/EULOGY:
Prepared by Glenn Edwards
Philip Bergin was born in Bundaberg, Queensland, in 1889 before moving to Townsville. He was a labourer
before making the decision to enlist on 20 September 1915 at the age of 27.
Philip Bergin was a typical young Australian - freckles, fair complexion, grey eyes and auburn hair.
Private Bergin joined the 15th Battalion, which was raised six weeks after the start of the First World War.
The 15th Battalion consisted mainly of volunteers from Queensland, with few from Tasmania. The 15th
Battalion was part of the 4th Brigade commanded by Colonel John Monash.
Bergin embarked on 30 November 1915 for Gallipoli and departed from Sydney on board the transport ship
HMAT A23 Suffolk.
Bergin and his battalion arrived in Egypt on 6 March 1916 but by this time the campaign in Gallipoli had
ended. In Egypt, the Australian Imperial Force was expanded and Bergin’s 15th Battalion gained the
experienced soldiers from Gallipoli. Bergin was now part of the 4th Australian Division which sailed for
France and the Western Front in June 1916.
On arrival in France in July, Bergin found himself in trouble when he was charged for being AWOL – absent
without leave - on 31 July 1916. Bergin was ‘missing’ from 2.00 pm to 5.30 pm – no doubt taking the
opportunity to enjoy life before heading to the front lines.
In August 1916, Bergin and his battalion took part in their first action – the Battle of Pozières. The village of
Pozieres was first captured by the Australian 1st Division on 23 July 1916. The division clung to its gains
despite almost continuous artillery fire and repeated German counter-attacks but suffered heavily. In
August Bergin’s battalion was sent in at Mouquet Farm to seize the area around Pozieres.
The Battle of Mouquet Farm was the last of the battles in Pozieres involving Australian troops. Their
purpose was to clear the Germans from the heights around Thiepval but Mouquet Farm lay directly in the
line of advance and was heavily fortified by the Germans.
Starting on 8 August, Bergin and the 4th Australian Division was to seize the approaches to Mouquet Farm
and then capture the farm by 14 August. As the battle started, the artillery of both sides was so heavy that
all landmarks were obliterated and the attackers became disoriented and lost. By 14 August the Australians
were still fighting to capture the trench system around the farm. The 4th Division had taken 4649 casualties
and on 15 August was replaced by the 1st Division.
At some point on the first day of the Battle of Mouquet Farm, Private Philip Bergin disappeared during the
heavy fighting and bombardment. He was 26 years old.
A month after his disappearance, Bergin’s mother was notified that he was missing in action. She was then
informed that he was a prisoner of war in Germany. An official inquiry on 1 May 1917 declared that Bergin
had been killed in action. His mother was notified officially of the death of her son and all hope of his
return was lost.
Today, Philip Bergin is commemorated in Townsville with a road named in his honour and his name on the
World War 1 memorial in Anzac Park.
Philip Bergin’s courage and sacrifice is best expressed in the words on the memorial:
“The Names of those who paid the price
For us and the land we love,
Be beacon fires to all who move
On lowlier ways of sacrifice”
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
AIF Project 2015, Information for: BERGIN, PHILIP https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=21034
(accessed 21 January 2015)
Australian’s on the Western Front 2015, “Cemetery details”. VILLERS-BRETONNEUX MEMORIAL
http://www.ww1westernfront.gov.au/pozieres-australian-memorial/index.php
(accessed 19 January 2015)
Australian War Memorial 2015, “Unit details”15th AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BATTALION
http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11202.asp?query=15th+Australian+Infantry+Battalion
(accessed 19 January 2015)
Australian War Memorial 2015, Collection – Philip Bergin.
http://www.awm.gov.au/people/P10248394/collection-items/?Collection-Type=Photograph
(accessed 19 January 2015)
National Archives of Australia 2015, Scripts for: BERGIN, PHILIP http://mappingouranzacs.naa.gov.au/fileview.html?b=3075128&s=B2455&c=BERGINP (accessed 19 January 2015)
National Archives of Australia 2015, Image for: BERGIN, PHILIP P07068.001
http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/Imagine.asp (accessed 19 January 2015)
Pimlico State High School 2014, Anzacs of Townsville Project, Pimlico SHS, Townsville