Edwin James Fernandez aka Burrows

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Mon, 15/05/2017 - 10:25

First Name:

Edwin

Middle Name:

James

Last Name:

Burrows

Alternate Spelling:

Edwin James Burrows

Date of Birth:

Saturday, March 28, 1885

Mother's Name:

Mary Fernandez nee Burrows

Father's Name:

Frederick Fernandez

Date Enlisted:

Tuesday, May 23, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

19th Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Thursday, May 3, 1917

Place of Death:

Bullecourt, France

Cause of Death:

Killed in action

Details:

Edwin Fernandez was born in Sydney. On 25 August 1911, Edwin married Mary Ward at Coffs Harbour, N.S.W.

He enlisted as Edwin Burrows (Service No 6466), Burrow's being his mother's maiden name. At the time he was separated from his wife but stated he was a widower; he nominated their daughter as his next of kin. Edwin was 31 years of age, worked as a grocer and was living at Kiama, N.S.W, where he enlisted.

Edwin embarked from Sydney on HMAT A40 Ceramic with 13th Battalion, 21st Reinforcement on 7th October 1916. The troops arrived in England on 21st November 1916 and Edwin joined 19th Battalion in France on 5th February 1917.

He took part in the Battle for Bullecourt and was reported as missing after the battle. He was deemed to have been killed in action on 3rd May 1917 at a court of enquiry.

There is no known grave for Edwin. He is commemorated on the Australian Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux.

A letter from his wife after the war provided details of his true name.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, BURROWS E J