Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

EDELMAN Howard John MB BS DA

1917-2001

Howard John Edelman was born, on 23rd January 1917, at Rose Park, SA. He was the son of Albert Edelman and Sarah, nee Gordon. He was educated in Broken Hill and passed the Qualifying Certificate for Prince Alfred College. He studied medicine at the University of Adelaide, graduating MB BS in 1939. Edelman was also a keen athlete. He completed his year of residency at the RAH in 1941.

Edelman enlisted in the 2/AIF, at Wayville, SA, on 31st July 1941. He gave his next of kin as his mother who was living in Sydney. Edelman had served in the CMF, from 30th November 1940, before enlistment. He was initially posted with reinforcements to 2/6th FdAmb and, later 2/4th FdAmb in 6th Division. Edelman was called up for full-time duty, on 16th June 1941, with the rank of captain. He served in the Middle East disembarking there, on 8th October 1941 and was marched into 2/4th FdAmb serving, in Syria fighting the Vichy French, until early 1942. The 6th Division was replaced by 9th Division after they were relieved in Tobruk. He returned to Australia, and 4 MD, Adelaide, on 24th April 1942.  He was then deployed to Papua, New Guinea, on 15th August 1942, and allotted to 2/5th FdAmb on 5th September 1942. The 2/5th FdAmb served in Milne Bay during the Papua, New Guinea campaign. He was temporarily detached to 2/10th Battalion, after the death of their RMO, and arrived in Townsville on 22nd May 1943. He returned to Port Moresby on 20th August 1943. Edelman was evacuated to 2/11 AGH on 11th October 1943 with a knee injury. The attacks on Buna and Sanananda, in December 1943, saw 2/5th FdAmb, having been previously dispersed, consolidated for the attacks. During the Huon Peninsula, PNG, campaigns, Edelman was, for a time, attached to a United States casualty collecting point. A large number of parachutist casualties, following airborne operations, were treated. During the Ramu and Markham Valley, PNG, operations Edelman was in charge of a group at Guy’s Post. He was successful at providing anaesthetic and resuscitation support to casualties. He returned to Townsville on 22nd April 1944.  He was promoted Major, on 18th August 1944, and posted as a company commander of 2/5th FdAmb. He was Mentioned in Dispatches during service with 2/5th FdAmb. Edelman returned to Australia and again embarked, from Cairns, on 25th May 1945, for Morotai (now Indonesia) arriving on 12th June and sent to Balikpapan (now Indonesia) on 29th June 1945. He returned to Australia on 18th September 1945 and was attached to 121 AGH. He was allowed to undertake locum tenens appointments and attended discharge training leave at the Australian Specialist Hospital, and transferred to the Reserve of Officers on 6th July 1946.

Edelman, after the war, continued his interest in anaesthesia and, also, undertook general medical practice.  He provided service to the State government by conducting assessments of those wishing to obtain disability assistance for parking. He became engaged to Eileen Ivy Schurgott in June 1946, they later married.  She was the daughter of William Frederick Schurgott and Eileen Mary, nee Hill. He was married twice and had a daughter, Polly, from his first marriage. It was reported in the Adelaide Advertiser, on 1st December 1949, that Edelman and his wife, Eileen, were involved in a car accident, on their way to their Anzac Highway home from Broken Hill.  He treated his wife for minor injuries at the scene of the crash. Edelman was a keen astronomer and built his own telescope. He was also a keen golfer playing weekly at Glenelg Golf Club. Howard John Edelman died on 31st July 2001.

Source

Blood, Sweat and Fears III: Medical Practitioners South Australia, who Served in World War 2. 

Swain, Jelly, Verco, Summers. Open Books Howden, Adelaide 2019. 

Uploaded by Annette Summers AO RFD