Edward George SEARLE MM

Edward George SEARLE MM Update Details

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SEARLE, Edward George

Service Number:	1240
Enlisted:	22 September 1914, An original member of H Company 15th Bn
Last Rank:	Sergeant
Last Unit:	15th Infantry Battalion
Born:	Evandale, Tasmania, Australia, 3 September 1888
Home Town:	Westbury, Meander Valley, Tasmania
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Labourer
Died:	8 September 1967, aged 79 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered
Cemetery:	Westbury General Cemetery, Tasmania, Australia
Memorials:

World War 1 Service

22 Sep 1914:	Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1240, 15th Infantry Battalion, An original member of H Company 15th Bn
22 Dec 1914:	Involvement Private, 1240, 17th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ceramic embarkation_ship_number: A40 public_note: ''
22 Dec 1914:	Embarked Private, 1240, 17th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ceramic, Melbourne
26 Apr 1917:	Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 15th Infantry Battalion
31 Jul 1918:	Honoured Military Medal, Le Hamel - Blueprint for Victory

Help us honour Edward George Searle's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by Stephen Brooks

Edward George Searle was one of the three sons of George and Elizabeth Anne Searle, of Westbury, Tasmania, who all enlisted in 1914 for service in the AIF.

Edward was the only survivor, his brother, 391 Pte. Frank Vivian Searle 12th Battalion AIF, died of wounds on Gallipoli 30 August 1915, aged 23 and another brother 2954 Pte. Ray Vernon Searle 52nd Battalion AIF, was killed in action 23 August 1917, aged 22.

Edward landed on Gallipoli at the end of May 1915 and was transferred to Mudros on 9 August 1915 after being bayonetted in the leg. He soon returned to Anzac and was severely wounded in September 1915, when a gunshot wound to the head fractured his skull. He was evacuated to Malta and after treatment rejoined his battalion in Egypt in 1916.

He fought through the Pozieres battles and was appointed Lance Corporal in November 1916.

Edward was wounded again in February 1917 and spent a month in hospital in France. He was promoted Sergeant during April 1917. He suffered his fourth wound during June 1917, a gunshot wound to the right arm, and was evacuated to England. After recovering he eventually rejoined the 15th Battalion during May 1918. He was awarded a Military Medal at the end of July 1918.

'Is recommended for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty while in action near Hamel Wood, east of Corbie on 4th July, 1918. When the line was slightly checked by an enemy machine gun, he led his Section out and attacked it, capturing the gun, and inflicting casualties and capturing the eleven remaining enemy. His coolness and courage throughout were most inspiring, and had a steadying effect on his men.'

He was promoted to Temporary Company Sergeant Major soon after and was granted special 1914 leave to return to Australia during October 1918.

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