BLYTH, Edward Pearson
| Service Number: | 331 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 20th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Died of wounds, France, 8 April 1918, age not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 25 Jun 1915: | Involvement Private, 331, 20th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '13' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Berrima embarkation_ship_number: A35 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Jun 1915: | Embarked Private, 331, 20th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Berrima, Sydney | |
| 8 Apr 1918: | Involvement Lieutenant, 20th Infantry Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: awm_unit: 20 Battalion awm_rank: Lieutenant awm_died_date: 1918-04-08 |
Edward Pearson Blyth DCM
Edward Pearson (Colin) Blyth DCM was a 22 year old bookseller from Bondi when he enlisted in March 1915. I suspect that his nick-name "Colin" derived from the English Test Team spin bowler of that name (who was also sadly killed in the Great War).
He won the DCM for his actions at Reincourt on 3 May 2017 whilst a Sergeant in the 20th Battalion, when he took over command of his company after all of the officers had been killed or wounded, successfully leading the company in an attack. The 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 189 of 8 November 1917 announced his award in the following terms:
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. At a moment when most of his officers were casualties and the men were leaderless he took command, and led them to the attack with the greatest courage and initiative.'
As a result of this medal (the second highest decoration for Bravery in the British Empire only exceeded by the VC) he was promoted to Lieutenant.
He died of wounds received on 8th April, 1918 at Boir de Hangard near Villers Bretonneaux - see pp506-8 from THE A.IF. IN FRANCE. This was part of the action that defeated the German Kaiser Schlacht Operation Michael offensive. Of the other three officers involved in his last action, Lieutenant Percy Valentine Storkey of the 5th Battalion won the VC as a result of it.
Edward Pearson Blyth DCM is buried at PICQUIGNY BRITISH CEMETERY, Grave reference E.22.
He was one of my four Great Uncles killed during this terrible conflict, all Blyth's.
Vale Colin.
Mark Robins QC
Submitted 25 June 2017 by Mark Robins
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