Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

David Arthur Edwards enlisted in the AIF on January 11, 1916, in Perth, Western Australia; he was 25 years old. He joined the newly formed 44th Australian Infantry Battalion, 11th Infantry  Brigade, as a member of A Coy. He was described as 5ft and 8 ¾ inch tall, weighing 143 lbs. (64.8 kg), with a Dark complexion, hazel eyes, and brown hair.

The 44th Battalion was raised at Claremont in Perth's suburbs, and quickly became known as "Old Bill's Thousand" after its CO, Lieutenant Colonel William Mansbridge.   It was to be the fourth battalion of the 11th Brigade drawn from the smaller States.  Its colour patch tells the story; the elliptical shape denoted the 3rd Division, the light blue lower half the third brigade of the division and the white upper half the fourth battalion of that brigade.

After completion of initial training, David departed Fremantle on A29, HMAT Suevic on June 6, 1916, arriving in Plymouth, England, on July 21, 1916, where the 44th Battalion received additional training prior to proceeding to France on November 27, 1916, where they entered the front-line trenches of the Western Front for the first time on December 29, 1916.

On August 4, 1917, David accepted promotion to Lance Corporal (LCPL).

David received a field promotion to Corporal (CPL) on October 13, 1917, after the death of the previous incumbent.  

The 44th spent the bleak winter of 1916-17 alternating between service in the front line, and training and labouring in the rear areas. This routine was broken by only one major raid, an ill-fated effort involving almost half the battalion on March 13, 1917. The battalion fought in its first major battle at Messines, in Belgium, between June 7 to 10, 1917. In the months that followed it was heavily employed in the Ypres sector, taking part in another major battle to capture Broodseinde Ridge on June 7, 1917, and participating in costly defensive operations in horrendous conditions. Of the 992 men from the battalion who were involved in the Ypres operations, only 158 emerged unwounded when the 44th Battalion was relieved for a rest on October 21, 1917.

On December 12, 1917, David was a part of a contingent of the 44th Battalion that transferred to the 10th Training Battalion, in England, for additional training, arriving on January 2, 1918, at Longbridge Deverill, Wiltshire, the headquarters of the AIF Overseas Training Brigade, where he completed the 8th Lewis Gun Course at the Australian School of Musketry, Tidworth, England between January 17 to 31, 1918, eventually to returning to Rouelle’s, France, on August 5, and the 44th Battalion in the field on August 17, 1818.

Whilst David was away from the 44th Battalion training in England, Belgium remained the focus of the remainder of the 44th activities for another five months as it was rotated between service in the rear areas and the front line. When the German Army launched its last great offensive in March 1918, the battalion was rushed south to France and played a role in blunting the drive towards the vital railway junction of Amiens.

With the Germans' last effort defeated the Allies began planning their own great offensive. The 44th took part in the preparatory battle of Hamel on July 4,1918, and was part of the first wave when the offensive itself was launched on August 8.

In August 1918, the 44th Battalion joined the Allied Hundred Days offensive, in which it took part in several attacks against the Hindenburg line in the final months of the War. Its involvement continued during the long advance that followed throughout August and into September.

David was received a field promotion to Sergeant (SGT) (Temp) on August 24, 1918, as the previous incumbent was unwell.

On August 26, 1918, David was received a GSW to the chest during the ‘Hundred Day Offensive’ and admitted to the 41st Casualty Clearing Station. He was evacuated the next day and admitted to the 10th General Hospital in Rouen, France. Upon evacuation to Rouen, David was reverted in rank back to CPL.

On September 26, 1918, David was transferred to the South African Military Hospital, Richmond Park, Surrey, England, as seriously Ill and on October 21, 1918, David died of his wounds.

David was buried at the Brookwood Cemetery, Brookwood, on October 28, 1918, grave No. 181458. (Plot 4, row F, grave 16).

David Arthur Edwards was awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal, posthumously, for his service. The medals were given to his father, John Henry Edwards (James Peplor Perkins).

Remarks to the NOK, Mr. J. H. Edwards of Morpeth Vale, SA.

The deceased soldier was accorded a full Military Funeral, Firing Party, Bugler and pallbearers being in attendance.

The coffin was draped with the Australian Flag, and conveyed to the graveside, where the Last Post was sounded, and the burial service conducted by the Rev. A. P. Bladen, AIF HQ, London.

The grave will be turfed, and an oak cross created by the AIF London.

Administrative HQ AIF London were represented at the funeral.