Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Australian Remembrance Army

Private Peter Edmond Lemass, who served as Peter Edward Lemass (Service No. 5041), an Australian World War One veteran, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with a plaque recognising their service for Australia.

We unveiled his plaque in Lutwyche Cemetery on 20 September 2025, along with a further 161 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page

Peter Edmond Lemass was born on 18 February 1889 in Brisbane Qld, to Timothy Lemass and Jane Lemass (nee Sullivan). He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 4 January 1916 and departed for overseas service in May of that year.

After a short period of training and acclimatisation in Egypt, he embarked from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force and proceeded to France in August 1916. He spent several months moving through base depots and hospitals before being taken on strength of the 25th Battalion in October. Over the remainder of 1916 and early 1917 he cycled through frontline duty and treatment for illness, including time in the 10th City Hospital at Rouen and later the 6th Australian Field Ambulance for scabies.

In July 1917 Lemass was wounded by a bomb explosion that injured his right shoulder. He was evacuated through casualty stations to Rouen and then sent to England, where he was hospitalised at the 3rd London General Hospital in Wandsworth for a severe shoulder wound. After recovery and furlough, he returned to France in January 1918.

Lemass later returned to action with his unit and, on 2 September 1918, he was wounded again—this time by shrapnel in the right buttock. Following treatment in field and general hospitals, he recovered and rejoined his unit. After the Armistice he was transferred to the 9th Battalion and eventually proceeded to the United Kingdom in preparation for repatriation. Leaving England aboard the H.T. Nestor in July 1919, he returned to Australia, disembarking in Sydney before moving on to Brisbane. Peter Edward Lemass was formally discharged from the AIF on 26 August 1919, marking the completion of his WWI military service. After the war, he resumed civilian life in Brisbane, where he worked as a labourer.

Private Peter Edmond Lemass died on 13 January 1960 aged 70, and was buried in Anzac Portion 9, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane. He was a single man who never married and had no known children.

After decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity has now been restored.

We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget.