Albert William Edwards

Albert Edwards (Service No 5684) was born at Mount Keira, N.S.W. in 1890.

At enlistment Eddie was single, 25 years old, and worked as a public servant with the Department of Home Affairs in Canberra.

He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A55 Kyarra with 1st Battalion, 18th Reinforcement on 5th June 1916.  After he arrived in England on 3rd August 1916, Eddie joined 1st Battalion in France on 24th September 1916.

Eddie saw service on the Western Front. Promotion came regularly in 1917 and 1918: He was made Lance Corporal on 8th May 1917, Corporal on 30th September 1917, Sergeant on 14th May 1918, 2nd Lieutenant on 11th June 1918, and finally Lieutenant on 19th March 1919.

On 20th November, Corporal Edwards was awarded the Military Medal for his actions at Passchendaele on 4th October 1917.  The citation for his Military Medal reads: 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 4th instant during the operations East of YPRES. He took charge of his platoon when the officer and platoon sergeant had been killed and led it forward under heavy fire and in the face of strong machine gun fire. Later on, in spite of intense enemy shelling he set to work to rescue three of his men who had been buried. He set a fine example throughout and inspired his men around him.'  Recommended 8th October 1917.

Eddie was returned to Australia in July 1919 and discharged from the AIF on 23rd October 1919.  He returned to Canberra and the public service until retirement.

Eddie married and when he died he left a widow, Mary, and a son.