Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Also enlisted under alias Jack BRITON

Edward Henry Malone was born in Bowden, Adelaide, SA, on 1st January 1896, the second born child of James Malone and Margaret McGee.   When Edward Henry was almost 3 years old his father died.   His mother stayed in Adelaide for a few years and then moved to Broken Hill, NSW, supporting her family by working as a seamstress and taking in washing.   Edward Henry and his brother had to deliver the washing when it was dry and heartily disliked this task.   The children all had nicknames.   Edward Henry was known as "Biddy", but in later life was known as "Eddie".

When Edward Henry Malone turned 15 he was required to commence compulsory military training.   Instead of joining the Senior Cadets he ran away from home and joined the Navy.   He signed on 13/7/1911 and was allotted Service No. 1197, with the rating 'Boy 2nd class'.   On 2/4/1912 he was discharged as having enlisted without consent of his mother.   He returned to Broken Hill and began work as a Miner.   In December, 1913, Edward Henry Malone married Hilda Louisa Williams.

Edward Henry attested for service in Broken Hill on 10th September, 1914.   He enlisted in Morphetville, SA, on 16th September.   He was under the required age of 19 years by just a few months but stated his age to be 21 years & 6 months.   He was appointed to 16th Bn and allotted Service No. 1300.   He embarked for overseas on 22nd December, 1914, per HMAT Ceramic.   On embarkation he held the rank of Sergeant.

The 16th Bn disembarked at Alexandria, Egypt, in February, 1915.   Prior to the Anzac campaign the men were medically examined to ensure that they were fit for active service.   Edward Henry was classified as M.U. and RTA on 9/6/15.   At the end of his recovery he failed to return to Mitcham Camp, SA, and was Discharged as a Deserter as the Army authorities were unaware that he had re-enlisted under an alias.

On 9th August, 1915, Edward Henry Malone enlisted in Melbourne using the name 'Jack Briton'.   He further hid his true identity by claiming to be 25 years old, born in Bendigo, and unmarried with parents deceased.   He also claimed previous service with the Iniskilling Fusiliers.   He named his wife as NOK but described her as his 'Friend'.   He was appointed to 7th Rfts/21st Bn and allotted Service No. 3030.   He embarked for overseas on 18th December, 1915, at which time he held the rank of Acting Sgt.

He disembarked in Egypt.   He was transferred to 60th Bn and promoted to Sgt on 26/2/16.   In March he was transferred to 5th Pioneer Battalion.   He embarked for France on 19th June.   On 14/9/16 he was transferred back to 60th Bn, and was promoted to C.S.M. on 29/9/16.

In December, 1916, he was sent to England and seconded for duty with the 15th Training Battalion at Hurdcott.   This was not a successful move for him as he was unable to conceal his complete contempt for British military incompetence in the field.   He was reduced to Corporal on 26/2/17, and on 19/3/17 was reduced to Private at his own request.   He returned to 60th Bn in France on 29/3/17.

On 22/7/17 he was wounded accidentally while cleaning his rifle, sustaining a Bullet wound in his left shoulder and lung.   He was admitted to hospital in France before being sent to England and admitted to Devonport Military Hospital.   He was discharged from hospital on 25/9/17.

After furlo he reported to No. 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, where he changed his name by sworn declaration on 10/11/17 and assumed his true name of Edward Henry Malone.   In December he was AWL for 3 weeks, during which time he travelled to Ireland and made an attempt to contact "family" there.   This was a serious breach of regulations and incurred serious consequences.

On 27th February, 1918, a Medical Board determined that he was Unfit for General Service and recommended his RTA.   He disembarked in Melbourne on 18/6/18 and was discharged from the AIF on 27/7/18 as Medically Unfit.

Hilda Louisa Malone had not stayed in Broken Hill following the disappearance of her husband, but had moved to Footscray, Victoria.   Edward Henry joined her in Footscray, but was unable to settle down in any employment for any length of time.   His occupations included Sailor, Labourer, Timber feller, Police Constable, Surgical Dresser and Attendant at a Mental Hospital.   In some cases he was affected by outside forces, e.g. his ship ran aground, his property was destroyed in a bush fire, there was a Police Strike, but in the fields of Surgical Dressing and Mental Hygiene he was defeated by his own success.   Receiving promotion he was unable to handle responsibility and resigned from the position.   The family later moved to Elsternwick, Vic. 

In July, 1942, Edward Henry Malone joined the Civil Construction Corps.   He was enrolled on 26th August as "Medical Orderly No. 1", with the Identity No. CV35517, and was sent to the Northern Territory.   He resigned from this position on 2/11/43 in protest against inadequate medical services and returned to his previous position as an attendant at the Mental Hospital, Royal Park.   He resigned from this position on 23/3/45, and began working as a Carpenter.

After the end of his Marriage, Edward Henry Malone moved to Qld where he worked at contract building all over the remote areas of the state.  In later life he settled down in Toowoomba, where he Died on 27th May, 1981.   He was Buried in the Toowoomba Garden of Remembrance.