George William Edman (1892 - 1967)

Born 16 Jun 1892 in Sydney, New South Wales (Australia)

Husband of Marjorie Alice (Bros) Edman — married 1913 in Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia

Husband of Alice Edna (Foley) Edman — married 1924 in Ryde, New South Wales, Australia

Died 1967 at about age 74 in Newtown, New South Wales, Australia

Biography

George Edman is an Anzac who served in World War One.

George William Edman was born on 16th June 1892 in Sydney, New South Wales, as the push by the various British Colonies to achieve Federation as the Commonwealth of Australia began earnestly. He was the son of George Hunton Edman and Lillian Oates. ^[1]

George married Marjorie Bros in 1913 in Kogarah, New South Wales.^[2] They promptly had three children together:

• Margery O (1913-)
• Alice L (1915-)
• George Oswald (1916-)

George Edman is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Australian Imperial Force 1916-1919
3rd Infantry Battalion

Upon hearing of the capitulation of Allied forces and withdrawal from Gallipoli in December 1915, on 17th January 1916 George enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, his young nation's all-volunteer expeditionary force for the (First World) War. ^[3] He was posted to reinforcements for the 3rd Infantry Battalion, a unit in the 1st Brigade, 1st Division. After joining his battalion in the trenches of the Western Front later in 1916, he took part in operations against the German Army, principally in the Somme Valley in France and around Ypres in Flanders, Belgium – but in some of histories biggest and bloodiest battles. ^[4] The 1st Division was a formation of the Australian and New Zealand Corps, making George an ANZAC. George returned to Australia 6th July 1919. ^[3] For his war service he was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Marjorie passed away in 1919, leaving George a widower and to care alone for their young children; his youngest (three years of age) not even knowing him other than from photos and stories.

George married a second time, to Alice Foley in 1924 in Ryde, New South Wales. ^[5] Alice was a descendant of First Fleeters John Small and Ann Parker, and of Second Fleeter George Patfield and 1793 arrivee Mary O'Brien. George and Alice had two daughters:

• Pauline Frances (1924-)
• June Melissa (1927-)

George Edman is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Second Australian Imperial Force 1939-1948
2/1st Pioneer Battalion

On 14th September 1939, within weeks of the declaration of (the Second World) War and aged 47 years, George enlisted in the Second Australian Imperial Force. He had lowered his age by eight years to aid enlistment. He enlisted on 14th November 1939 at Rhodes, in Sydney's western suburbs. ^[6] George was in the centre of the 'action' thoughout the war – being a member of the 2/1st Pioneer Battalion – in North Africa (1940-41), especially at Tobruk; Papua (1942-43), including the Kokoda Track; and Borneo (1945), especially at Balikpapan. ^[7] Continuing to serve after cessation of hostilities for a further three years, George was discharged on 14th September 1948. ^[6] For his additional war and military service he was awarded the 1939-1945 Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-1945, Australia Service Medal 1939-1945 and Australian Service Medal 1945-75. Few, relatively, Aussie soldiers were associated with the Australian and New Zealand Corps during the Second World War; George was not a Second World War ANZAC.

This truly dedicated Aussie 'Digger' passed away in 1967 in Newtown, New South Wales. He was 75 years of age. ^[8] He was survived by Alice, who passed in 1990.

Geoorge William Edman was deservedly awarded the following honours and awards, in order of precedence:

• 1914-1915 Star
• British War Medal
• Victory Medal
• 1939-1945 Star
• Africa Star
• Pacific Star
• Defence Medal
• War Medal 1939-1945
• Australia Service Medal 1939-1945
• Australian Service Medal 1945-75