| Regimental number | 1649 |
| Place of birth | Carlton, Melbourne, Victoria |
| School | Christian Brothers College (Catholic), East Melbourne, Victoria |
| Other training | Accountancy |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Occupation | Clerk |
| Address | 'Araluen', Gisborne Street, Elsternwick, Victoria |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 28 |
| Next of kin | Father, Francis Thomas Edwards,'Araluen', Gisborne Street, Elsternwick, Victoria |
| Enlistment date | |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 39th Battalion, 1st Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/56/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A11 Ascanius on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Sergeant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 39th Battalion |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal Work at Suzanne on 25 August 1918. Recommendation date: |
| Other details from Roll of Honour Circular | "Awarded MM for gallantry in use of Lewis gun and capturing on enemy Machine Gun at Suzanne 24th-25th August, 1915." Details from Father. |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of death or wounding | Clery-sur-Somme, France |
| Age at death | 30 |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 30 |
| Place of burial | Hem Farm Military Cemetery (Plot II, row C< Grave No. 16), Hem-Monacu, France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 131 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Francis and Annie EDWARDS, 5 Gisborne Street, Elsternwick, Victoria. Native of Carlton, Victoria |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'At SUZANNE on 25th August, 1918, for gallantry and devotion to duty during action. On the night of the 24th/25th August, 1918, two companies were advancing along the road in enemy country towards the village of SUZANNE. When the Company got to within 500 yards of the objective fire was opened on it by rifles and a machine gun from an enemy post in the Wood on the left side of the road, and our troops had to halt and take cover. Sergeant EDWARDS who was in command of a Platoon at the time, immediately got one of his Lewis guns in action firing on the enemy post, with the result that several of the enemy were either killed or wounded, and the remainder of the garrison fled leaving their gun. The prompt action undoubtedly saved heavy casualties to the two Companies and the objective was gained without further resistance. The prompt action of this N.C.O. saved a critical situation and his conduct was most exemplary throughout the whole operation. This gallant N.C.O. was killed in action on 30th August, 1918. The stress of military operations has prevented the earlier forwarding of this recommendation, the facts contained in which were brought to notice during the lifetime of the N.C.O. concerned.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 109 Date: |
| Family/military connections | Cousin: Patrick McGuinness, enlisted in AIF, Western Australia and was killed in action in France in 1918. |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
