RHYMER, Edwin
| Service Number: | 3754 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 3 August 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 48th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Hackney, South Australia, date not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Norwood (SA), South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Glen Osmond, 21 August 1946, cause of death not yet discovered, age not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
West Terrace Cemetery (AIF Section) Section: KO, Road: 12, Site No: 3 |
| Memorials: | Norwood Primary School Honour Board |
World War 1 Service
| 3 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3754 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Dec 1915: | Involvement Private, 3754, 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1), --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: RMS Malwa embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
| 2 Dec 1915: | Embarked Private, 3754, 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1), RMS Malwa, Adelaide | |
| 9 Mar 1916: | Involvement Private, 3754, 48th Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by St Ignatius' College
Edwin Rhymer was 34 years old and one month old when he enlisted to go to war, he enlisted on the 3rd of August 1915. His occupation at the time was a labourer. His residence was at 21 Eastry Street, Norwood, South Australia. He lived there with his wife Ethel May Rhymer and she was his next of kin. He was born in Hackney, South Australia; he was raised with the practise of the Church of England. Edwin had a dark complexation, dark hair and brown eyes. He was 5 feet and 4 inches and 112lbs. Edwin’s hobbies included fishing and he most likely owned a boat.
Edwin was a private during the whole war. He left on the RMS Malwa on 2 December 1915. The RMS Malwa had accommodation for around 600 people. Edwin then went on to train in Alexandria, Egypt. He was part of the 16th battalion and then later joined the 48th battalion. The 48th battalion was raised in Egypt in 1916. This process was called ‘doubling the AIF.’ The 48th battalion was part of the 4th division and 12th brigade.
The 48th's first major battle on the Western Front was Pozieres. During this battle, they defended the ground gained in earlier battles and they also entered the firing line. During the war, the battalion suffered 598 casualties due to entering the firing line on two occasions. This battalion fought and contributed to many battles such as the Somme, Bullecourt, Messines, 1917, Ypres, 1917 and Pozieres. Artillery like guns were used for a range of important work, most commonly in battles, both offensively and defensively.
During his time at the war, Edwin was charged to 50 days in prison for unknown reasons. On the 13th of January 1917, he was advised wounded. He was discharged from the war due to being medically unfit. He safely returned to Australia on the 22nd of July 1917. His total service in the war was 2 years and 82 days
After the war Edwin moved his address to Glen Osmond he lost his military discharge and returned soldiers badge when his boat capsized on the Murray River so he wrote a letter to the department of defence in Victoria to receive a new badge.
Edwin was awarded three medals including the 1914/1915 star, British war medal and victory medal. He died on the 21st of August 1946.
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