Reginald William Edwards
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 6 Apr 1891 |
| Place of Birth | Fremantle, Western Australia |
| Death | 14 Jun 1949, aged 58 |
| Place of Death | Mt Lawley, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 25 years, 2 months |
| Description |
5'11½" (1.82m) tall ; 155 lbs 70.307 kg ; fresh complexion ; blue eyes ; dark brown hair |
| Occupation | Surveyor |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | 12 Glenroyd street, Mt Lawley, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Brother , Mr Aubrey A. Edwards |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W7193 |
| Date of Enlistment | 9 Jun 1916 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit/Formation | 2nd Pioneer Battalion, 12th Reinforcement / 2nd Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 30 Oct 1917 ‒ 27 Dec 1917 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A60 Aeneas Melbourne to Devonport |
| Date of Return | 5 Jan 1919 ‒ 20 Feb 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A61 Kanowna |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 5 Oct 1918 Montbrehain Returned to Australia |
| Monument | none at present |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Primary and early secondary education was in South Australia, later years of secondary at Scotch College in Perth. Electoral Roll entry - 1916 Shenton road Claremont, surveyor. Had been refused entry to the AIF earlier due to his having varicose veins.
War Service
Entering Blackboy Hill camp, Reg was allocated to the 73rd Depot Company, and after 6 weeks basic training to the 21st reinforcement draft for the 16th Battalion. On 22 Aug 1916 he was promoted temporary Corporal and sent to specialist training at the Engineer Officer's Training School in Roseville, NSW. On 3 Oct 1916 he was made an acting Sergeant and transferred to the Engineer's Depot Company. On 2 Feb 1917 he was an Acting Sergeant with the 2nd Military District's Engineer Reinforcements where on 1 Apr 1917 he was promoted 2nd Lieutenant. At this point Reg was transferred to the 12th reinforcement draft for the 2nd Pioneer Battalion.
On arrival in England Reg was sent to the Pioneer Training School at the No.6 camp Sutton Veny before being sent on to the school at Reading on 16 Jan 1918.
Reg proceeded overseas to France on 2 Apr 1918 from Southampton, and after a time with the Australian Infantry Base Depot in Le Havre, he was taken on strength by the 2nd Pioneer Battalion on 26 Apr 1918 when they were in the Millencourt area on the Somme. On 18 May 1918 was seen by the 5th Australian Field Ambulance who sent him on to the 1st Red Cross Hospital in Le Touquet the next day. Released to the base depot on 1 Jun 1918 , he rejoined the battalion on 8 Jun 1918.
A week later he was detached to the Australian Corps Gas School and on 5 Sep 1918 he was promoted Lieutenant.
Wounded in Action on 5 Oct 1918 with a shell wound to the right arm and head (another record states chest wound, penetrating), he was seen first by the 5th Australian Field Ambulance before passing back to the 58th Casualty Clearing Station who placed him on an Ambulance Train to Rouen where he entered the 8th General Hospital on 7 Oct 1918. Evacuated to England aboard HMHS Essequibo on 25 Oct 1918, he was admitted to the 3rd London General Hospital the next day. On 9 Dec 1918 he was deemed to be 'Convalescent', but was fast tracked for return to Australia.
Reg's appointment was terminated on 14 Apr 1919 at the 5th Miltary District.
Post War
On 2 Jul 1919 Reginald married Gladys Peploe and they immediately moved into 12 Glenroyd street, Mt Lawley.
Electoral Roll entries - 1919 Shenton road Claremont, surveyor; 1920 - 1943 at 12 Glenroyd street, civil engineer
Notes
At time of initial application his brother (NOK) lived in Armadale and was his NOK. However, on his Application for Commission he gave his mother Mary Anne Edwards as his NOK.