Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Benjamin Noel William Edwards, known as ‘Noel’, was born in Bendigo, the son of James Benjamin & Harriet Blanch Edwards.    He was a Civil Engineer, and had previously been apprenticed (3 years) with Mr. A. Fulton, Shire Secretary, Shire of Huntly.    He was aged 20 years & 5 months, lived in Harkness Street, Quarry Hill, and had served in the 67th Infantry with the rank of Sergeant.   

On August 10 the official call for volunteers resulted in a rush of men.   Noel Edwards called at the Bendigo Drill Hall early in the morning before the enlistment officer was ready.   He continued on his way to work, then returned to the Drill Hall to enlist on his way home.   He was amongst the early volunteers for the Expeditionary Force, enlisting officially on 18.8.14.   The following day he left Bendigo for the Broadmeadows Camp.   He was allotted Service no. 909 and appointed to ‘H’ Company, 7th Battalion.   Positions of rank were quickly determined and Noel Edwards was Promoted Lance Corporal (13/9/14) and Corporal (24/9/14). 

Prior to embarkation he was Entertained by members of the Students’ Club, Bendigo School of Mines, and was Presented with a Teacher’s Bible from the Teachers of the Quarry Hill Methodist School.

The 7th Battalion left Broadmeadows Camp on 18 October, 1914, and embarked for service overseas on board HMAT ‘Hororata’.   Arriving in Egypt the battalion moved into camp at Mena, at the foot of the pyramids.   (6/12/14)     

In January, 1915, the Australian force was re-organized.   In the 7th Battalion ‘G’ and ‘H’ Companies joined to form the new ‘D’ Company.      This meant that all the men from Northern Victoria were together in one Company.   

The 7th Battalion was part of the force which landed at Anzac Cove on 25th April, 1915.

Edwards: “The transports kept well out to sea and we were taken off, in small boats in tow of three, each boat holding about 50 men and the three boats being towed to the shore by a pinnace.   Very soon we got withing range of the enemies shrapnel and rifle fire, but our boat, after casting off from the pinnace was rowed safely to shore . . . .  My boat was very lucky and all were able to land safely.” [ Edwards Letter: June 22, 1915.   Bendigo District RSL Museum]

On 26th April Edwards recorded: “At 10.30 p.m. we were withdrawn, retired about 400 yards (in rear of our firing line).   Entrenched forming reserves in head of valley.   Several battalions sorted out, only about 30 men all told of the 7th . . .    I have seen none of my company with the exception of two of my section who had remained with me throughout the day since the previous morning.”    [Edwards Diary.   Australian War Memorial  PR 86/387]   

On April 30 the battalion moved down the valley and re-grouped. Men were promoted in place of those who had been wounded or killed.  Noel Edwards was Appointed Platoon Sergeant (30/4/15).

May 1. “Of my platoon, strength 56 men, the casualty list for 25-30/4/15 was killed 1, wounded 18, missing 14, leaving only 23 men . . . . Busy all day making up casualty returns and organising new platoon.   Mr. Miller CSM was placed in charge of new 14 Platoon, myself as Sergeant”  [Edwards: Diary]

(Note: 14 Platoon ‘D’ Company had advanced beyond the line and had sustained a high number of casualties.  Many of these men were reported ‘Missing’ and later confirmed KIA.)   

In May, Lieut.-General Sir W.R. Birdwood, in command of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, was asked to provide part of the Australian force to assist in a British offensive at Cape Helles.    The 2nd Australian Brigade, which included the 7th Battalion, was one of two brigades provided.    The 7th Battalion left Anzac and disembarked at ‘V’ Beach, Cape Helles, on May 6th.  The battalion moved forward on May 8th in what was later known as the “2nd Battle of Krithia”  (8-11 May).   This battle achieved minimal gain and casualties were extremely high.   

On May 12 Edwards recorded:  “Only 4 original officers and about 160 men remained of the original 1100 men . . .  Of old D Company 240 men only 40 remained and one newly appointed officer.”  [Diary] 

Noel Edwards was promoted to the rank of acting 2nd/Lieutenant, to be 2nd in charge (acting platoon commander).   His Promotion to 2nd Lieutenant was backdated to 29/4/15.   The battalion returned to Anzac Cove on 17th May.

In June the battalion was mostly occupied with fatigues.    “By the way, the issue of rations is very good, and we cook a great deal of our own tucker.   We are all like rabbits, the way that we live.   We have a dugout, two or three in each, and if firing becomes heavy or shrapnel is about we all scuttle back to our holes and remain there until it is over.” [Edwards: Letter.  Bendigo Advertiser   July 28, 1915]

On July 3 the battalion moved into the trenches at Steele’s Post.   Noel Edwards was one of three officers detailed to remain in the bivouac with a Composite Training Battalion, consisting of reinforcements undergoing further training.   On July 15, tired of remaining behind the lines “went up to trenches tonight, arranged to come up permanently on following day.”  [Edwards: Diary]

The downward slope behind Steele’s Post was directly overlooked by the Turks, who were in position on the higher ground.   Turkish riflemen made this area particularly unsafe.  The trenches were under constant bombardment from the Enemy Howitzer, resulting in explosions which buried men.     Relieved from the trenches on 19th July the battalion went into Reserve.

On August 8th the 7th Battalion moved into position at Lone Pine, preparing to participate in a Diversionary attack on the Turkish trenches on the 400 Plateau.   

In what would be his last letter home, Noel Edwards wrote: “Dear Mother, I am going into action tonight or early tomorrow morning.   I hope for the good fortune that has attended me on previous occasions. . . . . This morning Lieut. Symons and myself who are the only two officers in D coy completed arrangements for our part. . .  “”[ Letter 6/8/15   Australian war Memorial  PR 86/387]

‘D’ Company, under Lieut. W. J. Symons, was on the left, manning the line from Wood’s Post to Goldenstedt’s Post.      The defence in Wood’s Trench was led by Lieutenant Benjamin Noel Edwards.     Heavy fighting ensued with multiple casualties.

Noel Ewards was KIA on 9/8/15.   He was Buried on 11/8/15 in Brown’s Dip North Cemetery (500 yards south of Anzac Cove).    His body was Re-interred in the Lone Pine Cemetery in 1923.

Among later tributes was a letter written to J. B. Edwards (father of the deceased officer) by Major I Blezard (former officer commanding D Company, 7th Battalion)   “I have been told many times by all ranks how skilfully he led his men.   His work as a soldier I cannot speak too highly of, being full of untiring zeal, quick to appreciate and master a situation.” [ Major Blezard: Letter.   Bendigo Military Museum]

Lieutenant G. J. C Dyett, 7th Battalion.   “Lieutenant Edwards was one of the most courageous and bravest men who ever donned the British uniform . . ..   It was my privilege to be associated with him on many occasions, and see him undertake many risky tasks.   He was a brave soldier and officer”.  [Lieut. G. J. C. Dyett: Speech.  Bendigonian  March23, 1916]

“The First Lot.   7th Battalion.   The first men of the Bendigo district to volunteer for service in the First World War.”: Larna Malone