Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ernest James Edwards was born at Forest Range in October 1887, according to his enlistment attestation paper and enlisted in Adelaide on the 19th October 1915 aged 28. Edwards served in France. He displayed the larrikinism common among many of the Australian soldiers, as evidenced by being docked pay for drunkenness and for laughing at his C.O. when sentenced to field punishment. However, he also displayed loyalty, courage and commitment common to the Anzacs when in combat. Edwards suffered shrapnel wounds to his cheek, right thigh and back on the 10th July 1918. Edwards rejoined his unit, the 50th Battalion on the 3rd August Pte E.J Edwards M.M.
1918. Prior to being wounded Edwards was
awarded the Military Medal “ For conspicuous courage during the operations at Villers-Bretonneux. On the 26th April 1918, when all the company stretcher- bearers had become casualties, volunteers were called for and these men immediately responded and without hesitation went out under heavy fire and dressed wounded. They continued dressing and carrying wounded all that day and night and also the following day. They showed a fine example of cheerfulness and endurance, and their work was of very great value.”
{Commonwealth Gazette No.15 4th of February 1919.}
Edwards experienced more trouble with his back to such an extent that after several bouts of hospitalisation he was invalided to England and on the 9th December 1918 he left England for Australia on board the Leicestershire. Edwards’ wounds brought about his discharge as medically unfit on the 8th March 1919.

At the age of 75 Ernest James Edwards died on the 1st December 1960 and was buried at Lobethal Cemetery. Note – he was known as Peter as evidenced in the letter he sent to John Eglinton advising him of the death of his brother Thomas Ernest James Edwards was born at Forest Range in October 1887, according to his enlistment attestation paper and enlisted in Adelaide on the 19th October 1915 aged 28. Edwards served in France. He displayed the larrikinism common among many of the Australian soldiers, as evidenced by being docked pay for drunkenness and for laughing at his C.O. when sentenced to field punishment. However, he also displayed loyalty, courage and commitment common to the Anzacs when in combat. Edwards suffered shrapnel wounds to his cheek, right thigh and back on the 10th July 1918. Edwards rejoined his unit, the 50th Battalion on the 3rd August Pte E.J Edwards M.M.
1918. Prior to being wounded Edwards was
awarded the Military Medal “ For conspicuous courage during the operations at Villers-Bretonneux. On the 26th April 1918, when all the company stretcher- bearers had become casualties, volunteers were called for and these men immediately responded and without hesitation went out under heavy fire and dressed wounded. They continued dressing and carrying wounded all that day and night and also the following day. They showed a fine example of cheerfulness and endurance, and their work was of very great value.”
{Commonwealth Gazette No.15 4th of February 1919.}
Edwards experienced more trouble with his back to such an extent that after several bouts of hospitalisation he was invalided to England and on the 9th December 1918 he left England for Australia on board the Leicestershire. Edwards’ wounds brought about his discharge as medically unfit on the 8th March 1919.

At the age of 75 Ernest James Edwards died on the 1st December 1960 and was buried at Lobethal Cemetery. Note – he was known as Peter as evidenced in the letter he sent to John Eglinton advising him of the death of his brother Thomas Eglinton. In the photo of the Forest Range Football Club of 1912 he is also referred to as Peter.