Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

BIOGRAPHY OF GEORGE SAMUEL EDWARD

George Samuel Edward was an Australian soldier who served in World War One. George was 25 years old when he enlisted to join the army. He was born in Ballarat, Victoria however, his date of birth is unknown. George’s height was 5 feet and 4 inches. He weighed 159 Ibs and his chest measurement was 33-36 inches. His complexion was fair and he had brown hair and eyes. Before joining the army, George was a labourer. Being a labourer meant either building/constructing or being in the mechanical and maintenance industry. Many labourers worked in factories that were overcrowded and hot. Factory workers worked up to 10 hours, six days every week. Many labourers in Australia sheared hundreds of sheep but earned little money. George made 5 shillings per day before and after he left for war.

George Samuel Edward lived at 208 Skipton Street, Ballarat, Victoria and was single. He followed the Presbyterian religion. The Presbyterian religion is part of the history of Christianity and the reformed tradition that originates from the British Isles. In 1901, a federal union called the Presbyterian Church of Australia was formed. His only known relative was Amelia Mary Edward who received letters regarding George’s injuries or achievements. Amelia wrote letters of complaints, as George wasn’t acknowledged in a newspaper. She then got a reply informing her that there was a press error and that his name will appear on the supplementary list, which would be issued at a later date.

George joined the army on the 18th of August 1914 and left for war on the HMAT Benalla A24 war ship. It left from Melbourne on the 19th of October 1914. It took soldiers to their destination for war. It carried a small rowing boat on the near stern of the ship. The transport had an average cruising speed of 25.92 kmph. George was a warrant officer (class II) in the army. A class two warrant officer is a senior management role in the highest level of organizational management. The class two warrant officers concentrated on training, welfare and discipline of a group containing up to 200 soldiers.

George was in the 8th infantry. The 8th infantry battalion was the group of soldiers who George fought alongside in the war. The 8th infantry battalion began in 1914 and they fought in Gallipoli, France, Belgium and the Western Front. The 8th battalion was part of the 2nd brigade that also had the 5th, 6th and 7th battalions in it. Lieutenant Colonel William Bolton created the battalion in rural Victoria, leaving just 2 months later. In November 1918 members of the AIF started returning to Australia for discharge. In April, there weren’t many people left in the battalion and the 5th and 8th battalion joined to form a joint battalion.

George obtained some injuries while in war on the 13th of December 1918. He had sunstroke in Egypt and was unconscious for 3 days. George also had a back and shoulder wound. The hospital he stayed at was unknown to his relative Amelia Mary Edward. Amelia wrote a complaint regarding this information and received a reply saying that the name of the hospital is unknown.

George left the war and returned to Australia on the 8th of October 1918. He was discharged on the 31st of January 1919. He earned 3 medals. He received a medal on the 9th of October 1920. He earned a British War Medal that he received on the 4th of July 1921. This medal was given to people who entered places of war during chosen times or their service was accepted overseas. He earned a Victory Medal that he received on the 28th of July 1922. The Victory Medal was given to approved classes of people who were at war between the 5th of August 1914 and the 11th of November 1918. 

George showed the ANZAC spirit by staying in war till the end and fulfilled his role in the war, which showed bravery. He earned medals showing his hard work and victory in the war. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. This represents a person from Australia or New Zealand who served in the war. Some qualities of what it means to be ANZAC are endurance, courage, ingenuity, good humour and mateship. The ANZAC spirit refers to Australian and New Zealand soldiers who had the qualities the soldiers demonstrated on the battlefields while fighting in World War 1. To possess and show the qualities listed earlier reflect the ANZAC spirit.