Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Mt Gambier Pictorial Honou Roll RH Panel # 94

Edgar was the son of Christopher Ferguson ALLCHIN & Mary KERNEY and was born on the 16th of March 1876 in Sturt Street, Mt Gambier, SA.

His parents were married on the 9th of November 1870 in Christchurch, Mt Gambier, SA.

His father was the son of Christopher Wood ALLCHIN & Lydia Brooks WALTON and was born on the 27th of June 1842 in Kensington, SA.
His mother was the daughter of James KERNEY and was born in 1852 in Alderney, Channel Islands.

Edgar was the third child born into the family of 10 children.

His father was engaged in farming operations at Red Camp, Glenburnie but then became involved in the timber trade in the early 1880’s.
He undertook many extensive contracts including several large orders for the supply of railway sleepers and hardwood timber used in building construction in Mt Gambier, from his sawmill in Nelson.

The family lived at 78 Sturt Street, Mt Gambier and Edgar and his siblings attended the Mt Gambier School and then Edgar gained employment with his father as a sawyer.

His brother Frank enlisted in the 1st AIF on the 21st of August 1914 and was allotted the service number 388 and posted to the 10th Battalion.
Frank embarked from Adelaide on board HMAT Ascanius on the 20th of October 1914.

Then Archie enlisted in the 1st AIF on the 18th of December 1914 and was allotted the service number 2212 and posted to the 5th Pioneer Battalion.

At the age of 40, Edgar enlisted in the 1st AIF on the 4th of April 1916 in Mt Gambier, SA and was allotted the service number 2989 and posted to C Company, 2nd Depot Battalion. He was then transferred the 3rd Light Horse Regiment, 22nd Reinforcements in Mitcham on the 1st of August.

Archie embarked from Adelaide on board HMAT Seang Bee on the 13th of July 1916.

In the first week of October a farewell was tendered To Edgar at Mr. P Smith's residence, Square Mile and he was presented with a luminous wristlet watch.
Edgar then embarked from Melbourne on board HMAT A65 Clan Mcewan on the 9th of October 1916, disembarked in Suez on the 8th of November.

He served for more than 2 years in Egypt and then embarked from Suez on the 7th of April 1919 on board HT City of Poona, disembarking in Adelaide on the 13th of May.

The following day Archie disembarked from HT Shropshire in Adelaide and after meeting each other in Adelaide they both arrived by train in Mt Gambier of Friday the 16th of May.
They were met by a large reception at the railway station and then conveyed to the Town Hall where a welcome home social was tendered to them.

Edgar was discharged from the AIF on the 20th of June 1919 and awarded the British War & Victory Medals.

Edgar gained employment as a labourer and lived with his mother and siblings, that hadn’t married, at 78 Sturt Street and later joined the Mt Gambier RSL Sub-Branch.

Edgar died at has residence, 78 Sturt Street, on Thursday the 22nd of February 1951 and a private funeral was held the following day.
He was buried in the Lake Terrace Cemetery, Mt Gambier; Section K, Plot 699.

Military

At the age of 40, Edgar enlisted in the 1st AIF on the 4th of April 1916 in Mt Gambier, SA and was allotted the service number 2989 and posted to C Company, 2nd Depot Battalion.
He listed his mother, of Sturt Street, Mt Gambier, SA, as his next of kin.

He attended signal school and was then posted to B Company on the 1st of May before being transferred the 3rd Light Horse Regiment, 22nd Reinforcements in Mitcham on the 1st of August.

Edgar embarked from Melbourne on board HMAT A65 Clan Mcewan on the 9th of October 1916, disembarked in Suez on the 8th of November and marched into the 1st Light Horse Training Regiment in Moascar.

Three weeks later, on the 21st he was transferred to the 1st Signal Squadron Australian Mounted Division and then on the 31st of December he was detached to the school of instruction in Zeitoun.
Edgar remained her for the next few months before being detached to Base Signal Depot in Alexandria on the 9th of April.
Then on the 9th of June he was transferred to the Headquarters of the Australian Mounted Division, for allotment.

Two days later Edgar was posted to the 4th Light Horse Signal Troop, which was part of the 4th Light Horse Brigade at Tel-el-Far.
Signallers were responsible for military communications, telling wartime commanders where their troops were, what they’re doing, and whether they have sufficient supplies. This was a very dangerous job and open to sniper fire.

After 4 weeks they moved to Fukhari and then on the 1st of August they moved to Marakeb for 4 weeks, before returning to Fukhari.
Here in Fukhari Edgar became ill on the 11th of September and was admitted into the 65th Casualty Clearing Station in Rafa.
Four days later he was transferred by Ambulance Train to the 24th Stationary Hospital in Kantara and then on the 17th he was transferred to the 14th Australian General Hospital in Abbassia.

Edgar was diagnosed with Arteriosclerosis (vascular disease) and remained here until the 9th of October when he was discharged to Moascar Base.
Three days later he was posted to the Base Signal Depot in Alexandria and within 2 weeks was admitted with Arteriosclerosis into the 19th General Hospital in Abbassia on the 22nd of November.

On the 12th of December he was discharged and convalesced to the 1st British Red Cross Hospital in Montazah, where he spent Christmas 1917.
Edgar was then discharged to Base Signal Depot in Alexandria on the 3rd of January 1918 and classified “B1” (temporarily unfit for service).
After 6 months here Edgar was posted to Details Camp in Moascar on the 10th of July and then to the Signal Training Unit on the 21st.

On the 5th of August the medical board classified him “A” (fit for general service) and then on the 27th of November he was admitted into the 2nd Australiam General Hospital in Moascar suffering from Arteriosclerosis.
Edgar spent his last Christmas away from his family and friends before being discharged from hospital back to the Signal Unit on the 2nd of January 1919.

He was then posted to Details Camp Moascar, for return to Australia, on the 13th of March.

Edgar embarked from Suez on the 7th of April 1919 on board HT City of Poona, disembarking in Adelaide on the 13th of May.

Edgar was discharged from the AIF on the 20th of June 1919 and awarded the British War & Victory Medals.