Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"Death of Jim Edwards

A quiet - living, quiet - spoken, former resident of the Beverley district in the person of Mr James Richard Edwards died at the age of 75 at the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in the city on the 12th inst., after a long period of ill health. News of his demise was received with much regret by scores of friends and associates in these areas by whom he will be remembered with affection and respect. Jim was the eldest son of the late Mr and Mrs R. T. Edwards who were pioneers of the East Beverley district, and whose name will ever be associated with the "Annbrook" property, and was a grandson of Beverley's first police officer, Constable Thomas Edwards, whose district covered a vast area and who retired before his term of office had expired to take up farming in the Beverley district acquiring the "Rockfield" property close to the town.

His father during his period at "Annbrook" purchased much surrounding country and it was on a portion of this, named "Rosewood" that Jim settled after his marriage to Miss Phyllis Evans, a Perth girl, in 1923. It was their home until he and Mrs Edwards retired to Kalamunda some years ago. The property is now farmed by a son, Tom, who with a daughter Marie (now Mrs Barry Steer) were born to them during their Beverley years. Jim was one of the few surviving members of the original 10th Light Horse. Volunteering for active service in the First World war he went overseas to serve throughout the desert campaigns. He was wounded in action but only slightly and was soon back with his unit. For conspicuous service he was awarded the Military Medal. A great comrade of the period was the late Jim Taylor, who never fully recovered from serious wounds he received during the desert fighting and is well remembeerd in Beverley as a member of the staff of the Elder Smith & Co. firm.

Upon the formation of the Returned Soldiers' League following the war, Jim Edwards' name was one of the first to appear on the Beverley Branch roster and he has continued his membership throughout all the intervening years. Mr and Mrs Edwards were very happy at the Kalamunda home they built after leaving Beverley. They made many friends, among whom were the Jim McCooke's, formerly of "Lakeside" in this district.

Of the original family who will mourn his passing are sisters Julie (Mrs G. L. Weaver, of Beverley) and Edith (Toots) who is now Mrs J. L. McGowan and also resident here, and brother Herbert who is at present on a world tour. To these and to his widow, son and daughter the sympathy of a district-wide circle of friends who held the late citizen in the greatest esteem will be extended.

THE FUNERAL The funeral took place at the South Guildford cemetery on Monday last following a service at the Roman Catholic Church at Kalamunda. There was a large attendance including many representatives of this district. Among the pall bearers were Messrs Chart Prior, who represented the Beverley branch of the R.S.L., M. Miller, J. L. McGowan, Les Weaver." - from the Beverley Times 18 Aug 1967 (nla.gov.au)

Son of Richard and Annie EDWARDS of Lennard Street, Beverley WA