GRIFFITHS, Edwin Beynon
| Service Number: | 1584 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 29 July 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 31st Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Stawell, Victoria, 18 June 1897 |
| Home Town: | Horsham, Wimmera, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Horsham |
| Occupation: | Watchmaker |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 20 July 1916, aged 19 years |
| Cemetery: |
Anzac Cemetery, Sailly-sur-la-Lys Plot 1, Row B, Grave 4, Anzac Cemetery, Sailly-sur-la-Lys, Nord Pas de Calais, France |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 29 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1584, 31st Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Nov 1915: | Involvement Private, 1584, 31st Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '16' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Bakara embarkation_ship_number: A41 public_note: '' | |
| 5 Nov 1915: | Embarked Private, 1584, 31st Infantry Battalion, HMAT Bakara, Melbourne | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement 31st Infantry Battalion, Fromelles (Fleurbaix) | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement Private, 1584, 31st Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Carol Holding
Edwin Beynon Griffiths was the eldest of four children of Edwin and Ann Griffiths (nee Beynon). He was born 18th June 1897 at Stawell, Victoria and soon afterwards his family moved and resided in Henry Street, Horsham, Victoria. They were a musical family, being good singers and musicians, with their father being the Church choir conductor. Edwin (Eddie) was the eldest of four children. He attended Horsham Primary and Horsham High Schools, before commencing work as an apprentice watchmaker, first in Ararat, then at Sack's Jewellry in Horsham. Keen to enlist, he enlisted just after his 18th birthday in Melbourne on 29.7.1915. His enlistment paper state that he was 5' 2", with grey eyes and light brown hair.
He embarked from Melbourne on HMT Wandilla on 9.11.1915 and disembarked at Egypt on 7.12.1915, where he stayed for six months, until leaving from Alexandria for Marseilles, France. He disembarked on 23.6.1916, then travelled to Northern France. Just 26 days later he was reported missing on 19.7.1916 at the Battle of Fromelles. He was reported killed in action on 20th July aged 19 years, and is buried in the Anzac Cemetery, Sailly-sur-la-Ly, France.
An Ararat clergyman said of him, "I recall his youthfull appearance, his cheery smile, and his bright manner of speech."
Red Cross File 1DRL/0428. Sgt A. Moore, 1557, of 31st, B Company, states on 23.3.1917....."He was killed on 19th July, Fleurbaix in the charge..... I have seen his grave with a cross on it bearing his name. He belonged to VIII Platoon, B company. I have written to his people...."
Edwin had three first cousins who served in WW1. They were three brothers, James, Ross and Sydney Davidson from Deep Lead, near Stawell, and they all returned.
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