Branch of Service

Army

Conflict

World War II (1939-1945)

Date of Enlistment

05/01/1940

Date of Discharge

08/02/1946

Place of Enlistment

Canberra ACT

Gender

Male

Date of Birth

05/01/1919

Place of Birth

Duntroon ACT

Address (at enlistment)

Howitt Street, Kingston ACT

Occupation

Clerical assistant

Next of Kin

Frank Edwards (father), Howitt Street, Kingston ACT and from 1945 his wife, Bernice Edwards

Service Number

N43362

Final Rank

Private

Final Unit

36 Australian Infantry Battalion

Edwards was mobilised in Canberra on 5 January 1940 with the 3rd Battalion (militia). He went AWL after being called up for full time service before being detained three months later. He was sentenced to 56 days detention, which was later reduced by nine days. Edwards arrived in Port Moresby with 3 Battalion in May 1942 and entered the Kokoda track as part of Maroubra Force on 5 September 1942. He fought with 3 Battalion at Ioribaiwa, Imita Ridge, Templetons Crossing, Oivi and Gona before being hospitalised with dysentery in December 1942 and returning to Australia in January 1943. He would be treated numerous times for malaria during his service.

In June 1943 he was transferred to the 36th Battalion and returned to Port Moresby the next month. He served in Papua and New Guinea until August 1944 when he finally returned to Australia. He married in January 1945 and he and his wife lived in the Causeway. Edwards died on 19 April 1980 and is buried in the ex-services section of Gungahlin Cemetery.

Description - height 5 feet 8 inches, weight 146 pounds, chest 36 inches, brown eyes, medium complexion, brown hair.

WWII Nominal Roll http://www.ww2roll.gov.au
ACT Electoral Rolls 1916 to 1967 http://canberraheritageportal.org/default.php
NAA RecordSearch - Series B884 (Citizen's Military Forces Personnel Dossiers, 1939-1947)