Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Edward was born in 1879 at the Old Racecourse Ipswich and is the 8th child of Patrick and Ellen McCabe.  Patrick, Edwards’s father, was a farmer at the time of his birth and Edward’s nickname was “Son.”  Some Queensland Time newspaper articles refer to Edward as “Son McCabe.  In 1903 Edward married Sarah Ann Fullelove at the residence of Mr Henry Preece, Victor Street Holland Park Brisbane.  The witnesses to the marriage were Henry Bashford, who later became Mayor of Maryborough and Mary Emma Fullelove, Sarah’s younger sister who later drowned at Southport in 1905.  Henry Preece later married Sarah’s other younger sister Margaret Jane Fullelove in 1908.  Edward and Sarah are found on the electoral roll living at the Old Racecourse in 1905 and Edward was working as a Cab proprietor.  In 1908 Edward and Sarah lived at Blackall Street Basin Pocket Ipswich, possibly to be closer to Sarah’s parents as they lived in this area.  Edward also worked as a horse trainer as this information was found on the marriage certificate for Edward’s daughter Mavis Mary Emma and Alexander Lawrie in 1928.

Before marrying Sarah, Edward joined the 5th Contingent of the Queensland Imperial Bushman in 1901.  Edward’s regimental number was 401 of the 529 Queensland men sent to South Africa.  The 5th Contingent was transported to South Africa on the Templemore on 6th March 1901 and arrived at Port Elizabeth in April. The contingent then left by train for Kroonstad and then onto Elandsfontein.  The contingent arrived at Pretoria on the 9th of April 1901.  The subunits within the contingent were 3 mounted squads, 1 cyclist company and 3 mounted rifle squadrons.  The commanding officers were Lieutenant Colonel J F Flewel-Smith and then later Major F W Toll. 

The 5th Contingent was known in the newspapers at the time as “The Fighting Fifth” and saw much action.  According to Murray’s official records for the war in South Africa, it is stated that they were “in constant touch with the enemy.”  Some of the fighting encountered with the Boers were at Onverwacht, Mokari Drift and Caledon River where they had severe losses.  It has been documented that Edward did get wounded during the fighting with the Boers, however, in what capacity is unknown.  Edward returned to Australia on the St Andrew in 1902 arriving in Brisbane.  A large crowd was at the wharf to greet the soldiers.  There are newspaper articles in The Brisbane Courier and the Queensland Times outlining the arrival of the men of the 5th Contingent and the welcoming crowds.

In 1916, at the age of 35, Edward signed up with the 25th Battalion and was part of the 11th Reinforcements. When Edward joined the Australian Imperial Forces, he was working as a cab proprietor and lived in Blackall Street Basin Pocket with his wife Sarah and three children.

Edward embarked on the “Star of Victoria”, firstly landing in Egypt where training was undertaken and once completed the troops were sent to France.  The 25th Battalion was part of a few battles; the first being Pozieres between July and August where there were 785 casualties recorded.  Edward was wounded in action on 22nd April 1917 and later according to his war records Edward was promoted to Corporal 2 months later.  Edward endured gas poisoning and was wounded again in action in 1918 as a result of a gunshot wound to his left shoulder and leg.  Some of the other battles the 25th Battalion were involved in were the attack at Somme Valley, Mouquet Farm, 3rd battle of Ypres (Passchendaele offensive) where the battalion secured Menin Road.  Edward left for Australia on 13th December 1918 on the ship Karoola and arrived approximately January 1919.

It must have been hard and the war must have seemed never-ending.  The feeling of loss of friends, companions and even family members can only be demonstrated by the letters such as Edward’s which was published in the Queensland Times with headings such as “Letters from the Front.”  Sarah, Edward’s wife, had received news from her husband in 1916 which described his grief and sadness at the loss of a companion Don Jeffrey.  It seemed that many Ipswichians published letters from the men who served in the AIF in France or other parts of Europe and I feel these letters and there were many, illustrated the harsh reality of war and the effect it had on those who served.

In 1919 a newspaper article in the Queensland Times reported a reunion which took place at Mrs Burnett’s Hotel Cecil, North Ipswich.  It was reported that a good attendance of the “old brigade – war veterans of other days and…young brigade veterans of the most gigantic war that ever took place in the history of the world.”  The Veteran Association president, Mr T J Barker was at the head of the table and was supported by T F Hall, Sergt E McCabe and other veterans.  The entertainment was given in the form of a smoke concert and was very musical with open toasts to The King and guests.  A few accompaniments were played by Mr A—West who was also a return soldier.  The Chairman stated that he was “particularly glad” to be seated next to “their old comrade Sergt. E McCabe.”  It stated that Edward who was “badly maimed” but was still “the same cheery Son McCabe to whom the Veterans Association had tendered a send-off on his departure for the front.”  The Queensland Times further states that Edward had a “unique record” in that he participated in the reception given on his return from South Africa in 1902 and the “genial Son McCabe…had a happy knack of stopping enemies’ bullets much to his discomfort.” They all wished him a speedy recovery and the use of his maimed arm.