Joseph Edgar

First Name: 
Joseph
Last Name: 
Edgar
Date of Birth: 
Saturday, December 2, 1893
Mother's Name: 
Isabella Edgar nee Thompson
Father's Name: 
Joseph Edgar
Date Enlisted: 
Saturday, March 20, 1915
Rank at Enlistment: 
Private
Rank at Discharge: 
Sergeant
Unit: 
20th Battalion
Service: 
Infantry
Awards: 
M S M
1914/1915 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Date of Death: 
Friday, February 27, 1959
Place of Death: 
Wollongong, N.S.W.
Details: 

Joseph Edgar (Service No 537), was born in Balgownie, N.S.W.

At enlistment, he was single, 22 years old, worked as a miner and had served 2 years with the Militia.

Joseph embarked on 26th June 1915, with the 20th Battalion. His file is unclear about his early service but he was in Egypt in October 1915. Joseph arrived in France on 25th March 1916, and saw service on the Western Front. He was promoted to Corporal on 16th October 1917, and to Sergeant on 18th March 1918. Joseph was not wounded and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, for his actions at Peronne, France.

The recommendation for his MSM reads: "During the operations near PERONNNE he showed great courage and devotion to duty and was untiring in his efforts to keep the front line troops well supplied with ammunition, rations, etc, making as many as three trips to the line in one night, often under heavy shell fire. His cheerfulness whilst on all duties inspired his men to greater efforts."  Commonwealth Gazette No 113, 6th October 1919.

Joseph returned to Australia, in June 1919.  That year he married Cassie Simpson. 

Joseph died in Wollongong, N.S.W., in 1959.  His service is commemorated on the Balgownie War Memorial 1914-1918.

 

Sources: 
NAA: B2455, EDGAR J

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