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Ray was brother to our Grandfather Philip Hugh Edwards. He was born on 4th January as was his great niece Robyn Leonie Edwards. His other brother was Geoff (not Jeff) who ended up in Perth after working in Malaya. Geoff’s children were Marnie & Peter. Phil’s children were Philip (Glen) and Fay.
Added are photos of his medals, his grave, and a Christmas card he sent in 1942 probably sent before he died but arrived after.

While named Edward Raymond Edwards, Raymond was always known as Ray. He was born in Wallaroo on the 4th January 1913 to local pioneers, Phillip Arthur and Sarah Jane (Sally) Edwards. Wallaroo, a thriving deep sea port on the Yorke Peninsula, was initially designed to carry produce from the smelting of the Wallaroo Mine and from Moonta, all part of the productive copper triangle. Ray had two other brothers, Phillip and Jeffrey. His father, Phillip Snr was a long-term local, active on the local council.
From early days, Ray showed strong capabilities as a scholar at the local Kadina Memorial School. By ’27 he was one of thirteen students who had successfully passed their Intermediate Examinations, with Ray’s subjects being English, French, Art, Maths I and II, Physics and Chemistry. The following year Ray was also awarded the Roach House Prize with Harry Dodd.
He was also a very capable sportsman, representing the school in football in competitions against both Port Pirie and visiting Woodville in ‘28 with his performance being described as ‘Ray Edwards roved with dash and judgment’ in the local Kadina and Wallaroo Times. The following year he again represented Kadina High in a match against Kadina East. Ray continued his interest in sport, being selected in the North Western Association team in ’40 to play against the visiting South Adelaide B team. Part of the funds raised were for both teams but also a proportion for the patriotic fund.
With his personal schooling over, Ray left Wallaroo at the end of January ’29 to attend Teachers’ Training College. Over fifty guests, officers, teachers and senior classes of boys and girls from the Congregational Sunday School gave Ray a farewell social. Musical offerings included pianoforte duets, solos and singing performances followed by games. The Superintendent then gave a farewell speech in which he praised the high esteem in which Ray was held, adding he ‘trusted that Mr Edwards would have a successful career and always remember his association with the Congregational Sunday School at Wallaroo.’ Ray was then presented with a beautifully bound Bible. Following a typical country supper, two emotive songs "For he's a jolly good fellow" and ‘Auld Lang Syne’ concluded the farewell. Ray successfully gained his University Leaving Certificate the following year, subsequently being allocated to Port Wakefield School for several years, before being promoted to Head Teacher at Mount McKenzie, just out of Angaston in the Barossa region. The local Balaklava Producer reported that ‘Wakefield folk congratulate Mr Edwards on his promotion; he will be missed by the tennis and football clubs.’ While teaching at Wakefield, Ray joined the Rifle Club as a Non-Commissioned Officer, becoming deputy and leading his team in a competitive parade prior to leaving the area.
However, with the escalation of the war effort, Ray and his brother Jeff decided to enlist, Jeffrey serving with the RAAF and Ray with the Infantry. He enlisted in Adelaide on the 20th May ’41, just after his 28th birthday where he was given the number SX12876. He was allocated to the 2/48th Battalion before embarking for the Middle East. On his voyage over in July, he attended a Special Course, then soon after disembarking he was promoted to A/Cpl in September ’41. This promotion did not sit well with Ray and he soon requested to return to the rank of Private.
Early in April ’42, Ray was with the 9th Australian Infantry Special Group before re-joined the 2/48th Battalion where he was undertaking Intelligence Duties.
He again rose to the rank of A/Cpl but chose to revert to the rank of Private in August. Conditions in the Middle East were ever-changing and the fighting continuous. Just months later, 29-year-old Ray was killed in action, on the 31st October ’42. At that time, the 9th Battalion was ordered to attack northward in what was to be relentless fighting in a massive assault to ambitiously take the strategic position of Trig 29.
In his book ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ John Glenn describes that time “which was to be the most bitter and bloody fighting of the war. When next the sun drove away those shadows from the desert, death would have reaped a rich harvest of gallant men. And of the 2/48th Battalion only forty-one weary troops would remain in the field.” He continued: “At zero hour, 1 a.m. 31st October, the artillery opened up with a receding barrage – one that creeps back on itself. The attack was towards the guns themselves, the enemy being between the troops and the guns… Added to this, the troops came under heavy shell fire as they were forming up, and suffered casualties before they commenced their attack… One gun was landing shells right amongst the men. As soon as the main road was reached the two leading companies came under murderous fire, and from then until they reached their objective, 2,250 yards from the start line, the whole advance was fought in fierce hand-to-hand fighting.”
“Casualties were mounting among the headquarters personnel. His final summing up was ‘Truly it can be said of these men, “They fought themselves and their enemy to a standstill until flesh and blood could stand no more, then they went on fighting.” In added high praise about those who tended the wounded and collected those killed in action “It says much for them that not one man was missing in their search over the four thousand yards from Trig 29 to the Blockhouse, or in the attack of 3,600 yards to Ring Contour 25.” An horrific battle for the proud and very brave 2/48th Battalion.
Almost a month later back home, Ray’s death was officially reported in the November Advertiser: Killed In Action.— SX8889 Cpt. John. W. N. Minocks, 2/43rd Glossop; SX10245 Cpt William R. Reid, 2/48th St. Peters; SX6735 Lt. Alister L P. McDonald, 2/43rd Broken Hill; SX6469 Sgt. Archibald M. Badenoch, 2/43rd Tarcoola- SX9787 Pte. Edward Edwards, 2/48th Wallaroo; SX6304 Pte. Angus McP. Halliday. 2/43rd Burra; SX11128 L-Cpl. J. T. Holman. 2/24th, Telowie Creek; SX11344 Pte. Kevin L. McCormack, 2/43rd, Wayville; SX11873 Pte. Stanley Moon. Inf., Payneham; SX6616 Sgt. C. S. Nicholson, 2/43rd Thorngate; SX5612 A-Sgt. H Shephard, 2/43rd Mt. Gambier; SX13307 Pte Robert F. Talor. 2/43rd Renmark. Died Of Wounds, — SX11288 Pte Maurice H. Quinn, 2/48th Cleve. They were some of South Australia’s finest young men, all sadly grieved, so many families’ lives changed forever.
The local Kadina and Wallaroo Times of January ’43 also reported that ‘Advice has been-received by Mr and Mrs P. A. Edwards, Wallaroo, that their son, Acting Corporal Ray Edwards, of the A.I.F., was killed in action in the Middle East on October 31. Ray was the second son of the family and was born at Wallaroo 29 years ago. He received his education at the local primary and Kadina High Schools. He enlisted in May, 1941, and embarked for overseas during September of that year. Ray was very popular in the town and district, and much sympathy is felt for the bereaved parents and family., A brother, Geoff, is serving with the R.A.A.F. A Memorial Service is to be held at the Congregational Church, Wallaroo, on Sunday evening, January 3, when the Mayor (Mr R. J. Milne), Councillors, Fathers Association, and Returned men, will attend.’
This service was hosted by the Old Scholar’s Association. The Kadina and Wallaroo Times reported that the same Reverend Williams who farewelled Ray for his teaching career, conducted the service ‘during which he spoke highly of the esteem in which Ray was held, and referred to a letter of condolence received from his commanding officer, who paid a high tribute to Ray's services as a soldier. The minister also conveyed a message of sympathy from the president of the Old Scholars' Association (Mr R; Colex which spoke of Ray's sterling character as a student at the high school. The popularity of Ray was evidenced by the large and representative congregation who had assembled to do honor to his memory. Amongst those present were the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr R. J. Milne and Mrs H. May), Councillors, returned soldiers, Fathers' Association and parents of old scholars. At the conclusion of the sermon, the congregation stood in silence for two minutes, following which the president of the R.S.A. (Mr D. Kerr) recited the "Ode of Remembrance," and the minister delivered a prayer for those who gave their lives. An impressive service concluded with the singing of "Lead Kindly Light."
At the January Council Meeting, the Mayor recorded that ‘I am very sorry to have to report that word has been received that Lance Cpl. Ray Edwards, a son of Mr P. A. Edwards, and Pvte. Harry Dunn, son of Mr W. Dunn, have been killed in action. Both of these young men were born in Wallaroo and were well known and popular with all, and the news of their deaths was a sad shock to Wallaroo. A memorial service was held at the Congregational church last night for Lance-Cpl Edwards, and I was very pleased to see this Council so well represented there.’
Similarly, at their October meeting, the President of the Kadina Memorial High School Old Scholars Association referred to the fact, that over 300 old scholars were in the services—-a record that any school could be proud of. It was with deep regret that they recorded that eleven old scholars had paid the supreme sacrifice.
Ray had initially been buried in the field on the 4th November, but was re-interred on the 14th March, ‘45 in the El Alamein War Cemetery, his final resting place. He now rests in Plot A II Row C Grave 19. Others from his Battalion are nearby including graves 10 to 21 all containing those from the 2/48th Battalion killed on the 31st October ’42 with Ray. A tragic day for these young men and especially their families and fellow soldiers. They include 23-year-old Privates Ronald A Grist SX13580, Andrew W Warner WX14061, 27 year old WX9913 William E. Ridley, 38 year old WX9930 F.R. Cornelius, 25 year old SX6896 L. Chapman, 25 year old L.Cpl WX9832 R.J. Templeton, 24 year old Corporal SX7000 P.W. Cashen, 33 year old Privates SX6775 Vince McGahan, 35 year old SX10362 John A. Cox, and 23 year old SX9330 Thomas S. Holmes all from the 2/48th Battalion as well as 25 year old NX47936 B Weary and 22 year old NX21348 D. Kidd from the 2/17th Battalion. Ray’s family chose the inscription ‘For us he gave his all’ for his headstone at El Alamein.
By 1945 his 64-year-old mother, Sally died in the Wallaroo hospital and was interred in the local Wallaroo Cemetery. Ray is remembered with his mother, with the headstone carrying the same inscription as that at El Alamein; ‘For us he gave his all’.
With peace finally declared, Ray’s father, Phillip was at the microphone for the Wallaroo Victory Celebration in ’46 which kicked off with scouts and cubs carrying the Union Jack, their group flags leading, followed by the children from the primary and St. Joseph's schools. Later in the year at the Anzac Service, a wreath was also laid at the Memorial Arch in Ray’s honour. Each ensuing Anzac Day, a similar wreath was placed in his memory.
His family and the local Life Saving Club continued to remember Ray in the ensuing years.
Kadina and Wallaroo Times Friday 1 January 1943, EDWARDS—Acting Corporal Ray —dearly loved son of Mr and Mrs P. A. Edwards, of Wallaroo, and beloved brother of Phil and Geoff; killed in action in Egypt; October 31st. For us he gave his all.
Kadina and Wallaroo Times Friday 29 October 1943, EDWARDS. —In proud and loving memory of our dear son and brother (Ray), "killed in action at El Alamein, October 31, 1942. "For us he gave his all." Loved and remembered always by mother, father, and brothers Phil and Geoff (R.A.A.F.)
Kadina and Wallaroo Times Friday 27 October 1944, EDWARDS, E. R. (act. Cpl.) 2/48. In loving memory of our dear son and brother (Ray), killed in action at El Alamein on October 31, 1942. —Ever remembered by mother, father and brothers Phil and Geoff (R.A.A.F.)
Kadina and Wallaroo Times Friday 3 November 1944, EDWARDS. -In memory of Acting Cpl., E. R. (Ray) Edwards, killed in action at El Alamein; October 31, 1942. He wore no shining medals, Nor signed his name V.C., He died a true Australian, To keep his country free. Inserted by the members of the Wallaroo Life Saving Club.
Kadina and Wallaroo Times Friday 31 October 1947, EDWARDS - To the memory of Cpl. Ray Edwards, who fell at El Alamein, October 30, 1942.-"lest we forget." From his comrades of the Wallaroo Life Saving Club.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.