John Goldsmith Claude Edwards

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Mon, 12/06/2017 - 15:58

First Name:

John

Middle Name:

Goldsmith Claude

Last Name:

Edwards

Mother's Name:

Jane Edwards nee Hampton

Father's Name:

John Edwards

Date Enlisted:

Friday, December 3, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

1st Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

1914/1915 Star

Details:

John Goldsmith Claude Edwards (Service No 5086), known as Claude, was born in Kiama, N.S.W., in 1888.

At enlistment in Kiama, N.S.W., he was single, 27 years old and worked as a labourer.

John joined his brother Lance (Service No 5087), on the Waratah March, and they embarked together on SS Makarini, with the 1st Battalion, 16th Reinforcement, on 1 April 1916.

John arrived in France on 17 May 1916, joining the 1st Battalion on 18 June 1916. He saw service on the Western Front until he was wounded in action at Pozieres, France. Sometime between 22 and 25 July 1916, John received gun shot wounds to his chest. After laying injured in a trench for 13 hours, John was evacuated to a local medical post and after regaining enough strength to travel, he was taken to a hospital in England. He eventually recovered and was returned to his unit on 17 May 1917.

John was returned to Australia in April 1919, and discharged on 26 July 1919.

John died in January 1959.

He is commemorated for his service on the Kiama Memorial Arch and Honour Rolls.

John's brothers Herbert (Service No 59737), Lancelot (Service No 5087) and Alfred (Service No 4534A), also served.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, EDWARDS J G C