Edwin Henry Southam

Edwin Southam was born in Leicester, England around 1889.  Edwin served 4 years with the Leicester Territorials.  On 27th April 1912 Edwin married Florence Brock and they had 2 children.

Edwin arrived in Australia in February 1914, but it is unclear from records if his family was with him.  

He enlisted at Wollongong, N.S.W, on 21 August 1914 when he worked as a bootmaker, and lived at Port Kembla, N.S.W.

On 21 September 1914 1st January 1915 as a Private but was promoted to Sergeant immediately.  

Edwin was sent to Gallipoli with 55th Battalion where he was wounded in action on 22nd May 1915.  He was admitted to 1st General Hospital for treatment of a broken arm.  On 12 August 1916 Edwin he was involved in a motor cycle accident and injured his knee.

On 8th August 1916 he was returned to Australia deemed fit for home service only, and discharged on 27th October 1916.

Edwin re-enlisted again on 21st May 1917 in Wollongong, N.S.W. was given the rank of Sergeant and embarked on HMAT A14 Euripides with 10th Reinforcements, 55th Battalion.  After arriving in England, Edwin was sent to France and joined 55th Battalion on 15th May 1918.  

He was wounded in action on 4th July 1918 during the battle for Hamel and was evacuated to hospital for treatment of gun shot wound to the head.

Edwin was returned to Australia in February 1919 and discharged medically unfit on 7th March 1919.