Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Driver Edward John Symonds (SX2662) (1918–1987)

Early Life and Family

Edward John Symonds was born on 9 August 1918 at Parkside, South Australia, the youngest son of Thomas George Symonds (1888–1944) and Florence Hilda Bailey (1886–1977). His birth registration records his parents as Thomas George Symonds and Florence Hilda Bailey and places the family within the Adelaide district.

Edward grew up in the Adelaide Hills district, particularly around Mount Barker, where his family became well established. The family memorial at Mount Barker Cemetery identifies Thomas and Florence as the loving parents of Milton, Ida, Vin, Jean and John, with "John" referring to Edward John Symonds. His brother Vindin Charles Symonds, known on the family memorial as "Vin", would later be listed as Edward's next of kin during his military service.

Raised during the hardships of the Great Depression, Edward entered adulthood at a time when employment opportunities were limited. Prior to military service he worked as a driver, a trade that would later determine his role within the Australian Army. His enlistment papers record his home address as Echunga Road, Mount Barker, confirming his strong connection to the Adelaide Hills district.

Enlistment in the Second AIF

With Australia engaged in the Second World War, Edward volunteered for overseas service in the Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF).

He enlisted at Adelaide on 9 May 1940 and was allocated service number SX2662. His enlistment papers record:

Name: Edward John Symonds
Date of Birth: 9 August 1918
Place of Birth: Parkside, South Australia
Occupation: Driver
Marital Status: Single
Religion: Methodist
Next of Kin: Vindin Charles Symonds (brother), Mount Barker

His medical examination found him fit for active service, and his physical description was recorded as:

Height: 5 feet 7 inches
Weight: 170 pounds
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Light Brown
Complexion: Fresh
His service dossier also contains enlistment photographs taken at the time he joined the Army.

Overseas Service

Following training in Australia, Edward embarked for overseas service aboard HMAT Ascanius (A11) on 15 September 1940, arriving in the Middle East on 12 October 1940.

Like many South Australian soldiers of the 2nd AIF, he became part of Australia's growing overseas force serving in the Middle East. His role as a driver involved the transportation of troops, food supplies, ammunition, equipment and military stores—an essential component of army operations.

Service records show postings through reinforcement and transport units before deployment to operational areas in the Middle East and Syria.

The Fall of Singapore

The defining event of Edward's military career occurred during the Japanese advance through Malaya and the subsequent fall of Singapore.

On 15 February 1942, Singapore surrendered to Japanese forces. During the chaos surrounding the capitulation, Edward was reported missing. Subsequent investigations confirmed that he had become a prisoner of war.

The service record includes entries noting:

"Previously reported missing believed POW"

before later confirming his prisoner-of-war status.

Like thousands of Australian servicemen captured at Singapore, Edward entered a period of captivity that would last for more than three and a half years.

Prisoner of War

Edward remained a prisoner of war from 15 February 1942 until September 1945, enduring one of the longest periods of captivity experienced by Australian servicemen during the war.

The surviving service record confirms that he was held by the Japanese until liberation following Japan's surrender in August 1945.

A notation within the file records:

"Liberated from Japanese Prison Camp"

His inclusion on the Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial further recognises his experience as a POW.

Although the abbreviated service file does not identify the individual camps in which he was held, his captivity placed him among the thousands of Australians who endured severe deprivation, forced labour, disease and uncertainty while imprisoned throughout Southeast Asia during the war.

Liberation and Return to Australia

Following liberation in September 1945, Edward was recovered from Japanese control and returned to Allied authority. Records show that he travelled home aboard HMS Speaker, arriving back in Australia in October 1945.

After processing, leave and demobilisation procedures, he was discharged from military service on 10 December 1945 with the rank of Driver.

His total service amounted to more than five and a half years, including overseas operations and over three years as a prisoner of war.

Marriage and Later Life

Following the war, Edward returned to civilian life in South Australia.

At some stage he married Dorothy June Mason, who had previously married Robert Clive Schmitt on 20 January 1949. Dorothy was the daughter of George Edward Mason (1893–1969) and Ada Ethel Durbridge (1892–1979).

Edward and Dorothy established their life together in Adelaide and remained married until Edward's death.

In later years Edward resided in Adelaide. His death registration records his residence as the Salvation Army Home, Adelaide.

Death

Edward John Symonds died on 10 July 1987 and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. He was aged 67 years. His death registration records Dorothy June Symonds as his spouse. His residence was recorded as the Salvation Army Home, Adelaide.

Following cremation, his ashes were interred at Enfield Memorial Park, Rose Garden Memorial Sites, Bed CJD, Site 18.

The memorial plaque bears the inscription:

EDWARD JOHN SYMONDS

Died 10.7.1987

Aged 67 Years

Eight years later, his wife Dorothy was interred at the same site.

Legacy

Edward John Symonds belonged to the generation of Australians whose lives were transformed by the Second World War. As a member of the 2nd AIF he served overseas in the Middle East, survived the fall of Singapore, endured more than three years as a Japanese prisoner of war, and returned home to rebuild his life in South Australia.

His military service is recognised through his inclusion on the Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, while his family connections remain preserved through the Symonds family memorial at Mount Barker Cemetery and his own memorial at Enfield Memorial Park.

He is remembered as a South Australian soldier, survivor, husband, brother and son whose experiences reflected both the sacrifices and resilience of Australia's wartime generation.

Sources

South Australian Birth Registration

Edward John Symonds
Born 9 August 1918/1919, Parkside, South Australia
Parents: Thomas George Symonds and Florence Hilda Bailey
National Archives of Australia

Service File: SX2662 – Edward John Symonds

Series B883, Barcode 6242876.

Key details from service file:

Enlisted Adelaide, 9 May 1940
Occupation: Driver
Next of kin: Vindin Charles Symonds (brother)
Embarked HMAT Ascanius 15 September 1940
Served overseas in Middle East
Reported missing 15 February 1942
Confirmed prisoner of war
Liberated September 1945
Returned to Australia aboard HMS Speaker
Discharged 10 December 1945.
World War II Nominal Roll

Service Number SX2662
Rank: Driver
Home Town: Mount Barker, South Australia
Second Australian Imperial Force
Discharged 10 December 1945
South Australian Death Registration

Edward John Symonds
Died 10 July 1987
Royal Adelaide Hospital
Residence: Salvation Army Home, Adelaide
Age 67 years
Enfield Memorial Park

Rose Garden Memorial Sites
Bed CJD, Site 18
Memorial plaque shared with Dorothy June Symonds
Mount Barker Cemetery Memorial

Thomas George Symonds (1888–1944)
Florence Hilda Symonds (1886–1977)
Parents of Milton, Ida, Vin, Jean and John Symonds.

Biography By Trevor Pyatt 24/05/2026