Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Edward James Fry

Edward James Fry was born in North Adelaide, South Australia in approximately September 1873. He lived with his wife Mrs Rosa Fry at 19 Churchill St, Adelaide. He was a labourer with a height of 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) and a weight of 144 pounds (65 kg). His chest measured 33.5 to 35.5 inches (85 to 90 cm), he had grey eyes, fresh complexion and dark brown hair. Fry was a part of the Church of England otherwise known as Anglican. He signed all the war documents including ones stating he may undergo the inoculation of diseases such as smallpox.

Edward James Fry’s enlistment date was 12th of April 1915. He was assigned to the 10th battalion which was South Australian based. His service number was 2605. He embarked from Adelaide on 12th September 1915 and was sent to Egypt, but it is uncertain whether he went to Gallipoli. It seems unlikely given the date. After the evacuation the Australian Imperial Forces reassembled in Egypt and stayed there until March of 1916 when they were assigned to fight at the western front in France.

Upon entering France, Australian soldiers went to base depots ahead entering the front. Fry went to the 1st division base depot where he underwent strict medical tests and ten more days of training. He fought at the battle of Pozières around villages in France and in August he was promoted to a temporary role of acting corporal. His promotion meant he displayed courage and leadership during the war. On the 14th of January 1917 Fry’s temporary rank of corporal was reverted to private at the 1st division base depot. On the same day he was transferred to one of the depots setups in a small town near the Normandy coast known as Étaples.

He signed into the military depot at Weymouth in England on 10th of March 1917 and on the 4th of May he was invalided to Australia meaning he was removed from active service due to being overage. He returned to Australia safely and was finally discharged from military service on the 1st of August 1917.

After the war

After the war, Edward Fry James service meant he had been awarded numerous medals. He was awarded the 1914/15-star medal, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. The 1914/15-Star Medal is awarded to officers and men of British and imperial forces who served the allies and fought against the Central European Powers in 1914 to 1915. The British War Medal is awarded to officers and men of British and imperial forces who served the allies during any time of the war or who died serving. Finally, the Victory Medal is a campaign medal awarded to those who had received the 1914/1z5 Star Medal and to most of the officers and men who received the British War Medal.

Fry fell sick and sadly passed away on 18th of September 1951 at age 77. At time of death he was a patient at Parkside Mental Hospital suggesting he had psychiatric problems after the war. Wars cause some soldiers to be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety. The mental effects of war are lengthy and can affect soldiers like it did to Edward James Fry. He was buried at AIF cemetery, West terrace in South Australia and was placed as the 48th grave in row 20.