Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Edward Nance born 23rd January 1918 at the South Sydney Women's Hospital, Newtown, NSW. (Younger twin).

Father - John Tasman Nance, Fireman from Kempsey NSW.

Mother - Isabel Munro Macintosh from Inverness, Scotland.

Siblings - Tasman, Donald, John, Bertha, Dulcie, James (Elder twin).

Edward spoke of living in a two-bedroom terrace house at Eliza Street, Newtown NSW, with his family.

His uncle at the time was the Fire Chief of Sydney.

Edward at age 23 on the 1st October 1941, volunteered for the Australian Military Forces. (Citizen Military Forces from 1st October 1941 to 2nd July 1943; Australian Imperial Forces from 3rd July 1943 to 6th February 1946.)

Edward's stories from during the war included when he was on the Kokoda track of the "Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels"  and the wonderful job they did carrying the wounded soldiers and supplies. "Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels" is the affectionate nickname given by the Australian Soldiers to the Papua New Guinean carriers during World War 2.

Another story was when Edward was lined up for rations, when the soldier in front of him was shot and killed by a sniper who was hiding in the surrounding trees.

Edward also spoke of having Malaria numerous times on the Kokoda track and of the canned bully beef they often ate during the war.

After the war, Edward became a Publisher and lived in Cambridge Street at Stanmore, NSW.

Edward married Marion Ellen Boyle from Bondi on the 4th December 1948 at the Waverly Presbyterian Church (Grahame Memorial Church).

Edward and Marion's first child, son Gregory Nance, and second child, daughter Kim Nance. When Greg was 4 years old they moved to a three bedroom weatherboard home in North Manly, on the Northern Beaches in Sydney NSW.

Edward in partnership owned Excelsior Publishing company at Surry Hills, NSW.

Edward has three grandchildren, Sommer, Sarah and Ryan and three great grandchildren, Lyla, Lucy and Indy.

Edward is remembered as a fun-loving man who enjoyed life and was very loved by his family and friends.  In later years Edward became a Christian.  Edward passed away at age 67 of Disseminated Lymphoma on the 29th November 1985.