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Department of Premier and Cabinet

Private Daniel Beames

"Such numbers evoke little emotion until we reflect that each whole number represents a person, just like Daniel..."

Nick Clements, of Launceston Church Grammar, Tasmania, researched Private Daniel Beames for the Frank MacDonald Memorial Study Tour in 2017.

The experience of visiting the Western Front was a great opportunity to learn about conflict and about soldiers' wartime experiences.

Nick does not know if Private Beames "fought valiantly or died cowering in a shell-hole", but for Nick the Australian soldier "is a hero.... He volunteered for, and endured unimaginable horrors, because he believed in something greater than himself. Mine is a culture of narcissism, so such selflessness is foreign and awe inspiring."

Nick read his research report at the graveside of Private Daniel Beames (PDF, 1.1MB).