Edwin Harold Stafford

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Fri, 20/03/2015 - 12:42
First Name: 
Edwin
Middle Name: 
Harold
Last Name: 
Stafford
Date of Birth: 
Monday, January 9, 1899
Mother's Name: 
Margaret Stafford (nee Moore)
Father's Name: 
Ernest Stafford
Date Enlisted: 
Tuesday, August 14, 1917
Rank at Enlistment: 
Sapper
Rank at Discharge: 
Sapper
Company: 
2nd Tunnelling Company
Service: 
Infantry
Awards: 
British War Medal
Victory Medal
1914/19 Star
Details: 

Edwin Harold Stafford (Serivce no 7861) was born in Mount Kembla on 1 September, 1899.

He was 18 years old, and worked as a miner when he enlisted in Wollongong, NSW,  on 14 August, 1917.

When Edwin enlisted, his father was deceased. Due to his age, Edwin's legal guardian and next of kin, his aunt, Mrs Matilda Jane Kelly of Balgownie, NSW, gave permission for him to enlist.

As a young man Edwin had served in the Cadets and CMF for 3 years.

Edwin spent time in training at Broadmeadows and Seymour, Victoria, before being sent overseas to fight.

 He embarked on with the Tunnellin Companies, from Melbourne, on board HMAT A71 Nestor on 21st November 1917.

Edwing served on the Western Front, and records also show Edwin was in Suez, Egypt, on 21 December, 1917.

Edwin was wounded in action (gassed) on 1 June, 1918. He was admitted to the Military Hospital in France on 13 February, 1919.

He was returned to Australia in September, 1919 and discharged from the AIF on 29th October, 1919.

Edwin's service is commemorated on the Balgownie War Memorial 1914-1918.

Sources: 
NAA : B2455, STAFFORD EDWIN HAROLD

Links