Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Edward Gay was born Edgar Albert Gay in Melbourne in 1866. The son of Thomas Richard and Jane Margaret Gay (nee Smith). He was known as Ed Gay.

Hence he began using Edward at some point as his first name. Ed for Edgar became Ed for Edward.

Years later when his mother died in 1908, Ed was memorialized on her grave. For her Boer War veteran son had predeceased her.

Ed's full birth name is on his family memorial on his parent's grave in Boroondara Cemetery in Kew.     

Ed was educated at Scotch College in Melbourne but moved to New South Wales prior to the Boer War. Ed must have understated his age in order to enlist in 1901. He was 34 years old when he enlisted in 1900.

This was four years above the 30 year age limit for new recruits. 

His Bushmen re-enforcement draft was raised in the Riverina District of New South Wales. Ed was a Bushman in that district. Hence he passed the strict riding and shooting preselection tests with ease.

Following very basic training, Ed embarked for South Africa in mid April 1901. His intake was meant to be re-enforcements for the 3rd New South Wales Bushmen.

However, 3rd NSW Bushmen was by then almost time expired. Hence, that unit was soon to be repatriated. Therefore, Ed's NSW re-enforements were transferred to the 3rd NSW Imperial Bushmen.

This new Imperial Bushmen unit was formed at Klerksdoop in the Transvaal on 4 May 1901.

Ed fought Boer Commandos in the Transvaal before succumbing to the ever present enteric fever. For this was a time before antibiotics and modern medicine.

Ed died in No. 31 Stationary Hospital at Ermelo on 26 Jan 1902.

Lest We Forget.