Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Edward George Deveson, DCM, ED

George was born in Myrtleford, Victoria on 10 February 1889, the first of seven children born to Edwin/Edward George Deveson & Jane/Jean Lee

He & Marion Connell were married on 12 July 1911 at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Cecil St. Williamstown, Victoria, by Reverend Robert Murray

Prior to WW1, Edward served in the Senior Naval Cadets, discharging on 14 April 1910 & he was also a member of the Collingwood Rifle Club even having been awarded a sliver (FOB) medal in August 1914 for H.P. Score 70 (FOB pictured)

On 3 August 1915, Edward now a carpenter by trade, enlisted in the AIF Private 4199 & was posted to the 13th Reinforcements of the 8th Battalion

He embarked for the Middle East on board HMAT (A64) Demosthenes on 29 December 1915, where he instead joined the newly formed 1st Pioneer Battalion as a Sergeant at Serapeum on 17 March 1916

The Battalion embarked for France on board HMT Saxon & HMAS Ballarat on 27 March, arriving at Marseilles on 1 April where they were transported to the Somme & subsequently moved to Armentieres where they established a camp, in an area which was dubbed a "nursery" sector by the Allies, where newly arrived units could gain their first experience of fighting on the Western Front

Under command of the 1st Division, the 1st Pioneer Battalion was engaged in every action undertaken by the Division, starting at Pozieres & Mouquet Farm in mid-1916, through Bullecourt & Third Ypres in 1917, the stemming of the German tide in the Spring Offensive of 1918, action in the north of France during June/July 1918 around Merris, culminating in the final stages of the Hundred Days campaign in late 1918

While the Battalion was stationed at the Ypres Pioneer Camp, Edward was wounded by shrapnel on 9 September 1916

In October 1916, Edward was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for "Conspicuous gallantry during operations. He worked unceasingly for several days and nights consolidating advanced positions and showed complete disregard of danger. He was several times buried by shells"

His recommendation reading "During the operations 15-23 Aug beyond Pozières, SGT Deveson was every night in charge of working parties in the most advanced parties, consolidating ground won by 1st and 3rd Brigades. He worked without a rest the whole time proving himself invaluable by his skill and at the same time showing a coolness under heavy fire amounting to complete indifference. On several occasions he was buried in debris and finally he completed his [???] by [???] in making good the ground to Mouquet Farm and assisting n capturing a number of German prisoners. His Company [Commanders???] recommendations was of the highest nature. This is the second time his work has been mentioned, his actions at Pozières in O.G.1 being excellent, while at Sailly in no man’s land, he was really good"

Note – although it states this is the second time he’s been mentioned, I haven’t found anything relating to a Mention in Despatches & believe this is just referring to mentioning his “good work” at Battalion level

He was appointed 2nd Lieutenant on 1 November 1916 & promoted Lieutenant on 4 April 1917

Edwards brother, 6986 Alfred James Deveson of the 16th Battalion Reinforcements joined the 1st Pioneers on 8 November 1917 & also serve as a Sergeant with the Battalion

Edward was deemed medically unfit for further service due to sciatica & embarked for return to Australia on board HMAT (A14) Euripides on 30 January 1918

His appointment in the AIF was terminated on 3 August 1918

From 1 October 1920 to 5 September 1940, Edward served in the AMF as a Lieutenant with the 4th Division Engineers, transferring in & out of active & reserve duty until transferring to full-time service with the 2nd AIF on 6 September 1940

Edward was posted to Headquarters Southern Command (3rd Military District) Training Centre  then transferred to the Engineer Training Depot at Puckapunyal & appointed T/Captain in April 1941

On 6 December 1941 he was detached to the VDC Training School, where on 24 January 1942, at the Dunlop Rubber Estate in Beaumaris, he was injured from an explosion while laying a 4oz charge of gelignite. He stated all precautions were taken & he’d been laying charges for 25 years. The explosion caused burns to his hands, arms & face

After brief hospitalisation, Edward was posted to LHQ "G" Branch Engineers, Staff of Engineer-in-Chief

Throughout WW2 he held a number of appointments & postings including ;

Tasmania Force

- Officer Commanding, 8th Army Troops Company - 17 August 1942

- 25 Australian Corps Field Park Company - 25 August 1942

- 8th CRE (Commander Royal Engineers ?) Works Company - 28 December 1942

- 60th DCRE (Deputy Commander Royal Engineers ?) Works Company – 11 February 1943

- Appointed DCRE (Deputy Commander Royal Engineers ?) – 11 February 1943

Edward was appointed T/Major on 13 May 1943

Northern Territory Force

- 60th DCRE as Deputy Commander Royal Engineers – 4 June 1943

In October 1944, Edward was transferred to Victoria & placed on the AMF Reserve List with rank of H/Lieutenant on 24 November