Eric Raymond Elder

Eric Elder (Service No 4670) was born in Sydney.  Eric's father, Reverend Francis Elder, served for a time at the Church of England in Wollongong, and one of his sons, Kenneth, was born in Wollongong.  All of Reverend Elder's three sons enlisted.  Colin Elder was killed in action, while Eric & Kenneth returned home.

At enlistment, Eric was single, 23 years old and was studying theology; before enlisting he had served with the Cadets.  Eric embarked from Sydney on RMS Osterley with 1st Battalion, 14th Reinforcement on 15th January 1916.

After arriving in Egypt Eric was sent on to France with 1st Battalion, arriving on 28th March 1916.

Eric was wounded in action on 28th June 1916 and evacuated to hospital in England for treatment of a gun shot wound to his right leg.  He returned to his unit on 24th November 1916, having missed the Somme battles.

He was wounded a second time between 5th and 8th May 1917 and evacuated to hospital in England for treatment of gun shot wounds to his arm, leg and back.

On 20th April 1918 Eric joined 1st Machine Gun Battalion in France and served with them until 20th October 1918 when he reported to the Cadet Battalion in England.

He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on 6th January 1919, then to Lieutenant on 6th April 1919.

He returned to Australia in June 1919 and was discharged from the AIF on 5th September 1919.  He returned to University to complete his studies and became a minister of religion on 19th December 1924.

Eric served as the Vicar General of Fiji from 1940 till 1945 when he returned to Australia.

He married Gwendllian James and continued to serve the Ministry in the Hunter region.

Eric died in 1984 and is buried in Point Clare Cemetery, Gosford, N.S.W.