St George’s Cathedral
We Will Remember Them
The Revd Bec Bydder, Director, Centre for Spirituality
On 10 May 2025, St George’s Cathedral had the honour of hosting the State Funeral for Mr Arthur Leggett OAM - the last surviving Prisoner of War veteran from World War II.
Arthur died in April, at 106 (and a half!) years. He was ‘A Decent Aussie Bloke’ – as described in a poem by his friend and author Keith Lethbridge which was dedicated to Arthur. The funeral was a tribute to a man who represented a generation that is almost known only to us through the pages of history books. We were reminded through memories and reflections of a particular character from our nation, that once took a seat in every pub but now feels like an unfamiliar novelty.
People came together; family and friends of Arthur, the highest levels of State representatives both civic and political, broad representation from our Defence Forces ranging from cadets to the Chief of Army, as well as the public coming in their thousands to pay respect to someone they had never met - and with a deep sense of gratitude.
This service of Thanksgiving for Arthur’s life was not just about Arthur. As he was quick to remind us of those who never made it back, so his funeral allowed a state and a nation, to give thanks to him and his mates for their service and sacrifice. We all came together - military, community and church to give thanks for Arthur, and for all the decent Aussie blokes (and sheilas) who have served in our nation’s name.
Arthur endured and survived hardship and suffering yet went on to live a life committed to never forgetting his mates who were left behind. He committed himself to educating the generations that came after, making sure all knew the true cost of war. War, as Arthur explained to the students at Mt Lawley High School, wasn’t about gaining anything, but rather war was necessary in protecting what would be lost without victory.
A Cathedral has a duty - serving both the people of its diocese and the broader community.
A Cathedral provides a sense of place, a sense of belonging. All Anglicans in the Diocese of Perth belong to the Cathedral, whether they attend regularly, for Diocesan services, or never. It is the Mother Church, regardless of where the children attend.
It is the Cathedral’s duty and its privilege to be a place that provides the sacred space for a grand farewell of a soldier who ranked as a private.
As Bishop Kate Wilmot reminded us in her sermon, we are called to commit ourselves to remembering them – all who have died because of their service, and those who lived on with the seen and unseen scars.
We will remember them.
Lest we forget.