Joseph Edgar

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Mon, 12/06/2017 - 15:11

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