EDWARDS, Alfred George
| Service Number: | 1088 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 17 August 1914, An original member of F Company |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 3rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 10 April 1878 |
| Home Town: | Balmain, Leichhardt, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Engineer |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 17 Aug 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Corporal, 1088, 3rd Infantry Battalion, An original member of F Company | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Oct 1914: | Involvement Corporal, 1088, 3rd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Euripides embarkation_ship_number: A14 public_note: '' | |
| 20 Oct 1914: | Embarked Corporal, 1088, 3rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Euripides, Sydney | |
| 1 Aug 1915: | Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 3rd Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Albert George Edwards was one of the very first Australians to enlist during August 1914. He was over 35 years of age and married to Bridget. He was a father to seven children and gave his occupation as fireman. He stated he had been a member of ‘Mounted York Infantry Australian Rifles 4th African contingent.’
Albert took part in the Anzac landing and distinguished himself in the bomb fighting at Lone Pine. He was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal for Gallipoli, which was a rare award in 1915.
The award states 'For conspicuous gallantry and during September, 1915, during the operations round Anzac. Sgt Edwards was scarcely ever off a bombing post, and invariably displayed the greatest bravery and devotion to duty.'
He was evacuated sick from Gallipoli during November 1915 and spent some months in Malta undergoing treatment, before being sent home with chronic dysentery and rheumatism.
He is referred to variously by official documents as Company Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer and Sergeant Edwards.
During July 1917 he had a house provided for him by the Balmain Voluntary Workers Association. The four-roomed cottage in Lyall Street, off Flood Street, Leichhardt, was handed over to the sergeant major in July 1917. A large number of politicians and council representatives were present and a popular actress-singer Miss Ada Reeve handed over the keys.
Albert’s younger brother, 2637 Corporal Walter Charles Edwards 17th Battalion AIF, was killed in action in France on 12 May 1918, aged 33.