Edwin Thomas Selby (1911 - 1987)

Born 4 Jun 1911 in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia

Ancestors

Husband of Edna Sarah (Wallis) Selby — married 27 Feb 1937 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Died 24 Dec 1987 at age 76 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

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Biography

Edwin Thomas 'Ted' Selby was born on 4th June 1911 in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. He was the son of William Selby and Beatrice Ollier. ^[1]

Having moved to Brisbane as a young man, Ted joined the Brisbane Excelsior Brass Band, maintaining involvement for many years. Indeed, he was recognised as one of several band members who enlisted in Australia's military forces during the Second World War. ^[2]

On 27th February 1937, Ted married Edna Wallis in Brisbane. ^[3]

Ted Selby is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Royal Australian Air Force 1941-1945
No.14 Airfield Construction Sqn

On 29th April 1941 Ted enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) for military service during the Second World War. ^[4] He attained the senior non-commissioned rank of Flight Sergeant in the No.14 Airfield Construction Squadron. David Wilson described well the story of the airfield construction squadrons: "... is one of toil and sweat, of personal resource and professionalism ... The men undertook hard physical work to build the facilities which were, quite often, taken for granted by those who followed ... construction units were the pioneers, often landing with assault troops to ensure that airfields were operational in the shortest possible time. Their work remained unsung. Often they had moved away before the main operational force deployed to the facilities that they had prepared." ^[5] The war over, he was discharged on 7th November 1945. ^[4]

Ted was instrumental (no pun intended) in forming in 1941 the military band that was the predecessor to the RAAF Amberley Band. With the threat of Japanese invasion later that year, the band folded, re-forming in 1943, albeit without instruments. Following the kind gift of intruments by the Laidley Town Band, their first engagement was ANZAC Day 1943. ^[6]

Ted Selby is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Australian Army 1946-1975
Northern Command Band

Following the war, Ted transferred to the Australian Army, whereupon he attained the highest non-commissioned rank of Warrant Officer Class 1. He was bandmaster of the Northern Command Band (later The Band of the 1st Military District and today known as the Australian Army Band Brisbane) throughout the 1950s and 1960s. The band did a brief tour of duty in South Vietnam in 1970. ^[7][8]

Following the transition to the aArmy, Ted and Edna made their home close to Enoggera Barracks, at Gaythorne, in Brisbane's inner north west. They had five children:

• Gail
• Ismay
• Sharon
• Edwin 'Ed'
• Narelle

Ted tutored many young musicians, encouraging the next generation of bandsmen

For many years, through the Australian College of Music and by private lessons, Ted tutored young players on several brass instruments, passing on skills and encouraging the next generation of bandsmen. He remained a member of the Australian Army Band Corps Association all his life. ^[9]

Ted Selby passed away, aged 76 years, on 24th December 1987 in Brisbane and his ashes are placed in Albany Creek Memorial Park. ^[10] He was survived by Edna, who lived until 2014, their children and grandchildren.

Sources

1. ↑ Queensland Birth Index #1911/C/12118
2. ↑ Brisbane Excelsior Band; accessed 26 Nov 2018
3. ↑ Queensland Marriage Index #1937/B/27411
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Department of Veterans' Affairs nominal roll: 25613 Flight Sergeant Edwin Thomas Selby; accessed 26 Nov 2018
5. ↑ Wilson, David. Always First. Air Power Studies Centre. Fairbairn, 1998. ISBN 0 642 26525 9; accessed 26 Nov 2018
6. ↑ RAAF Amberley Brass Band; accessed 26 Nov 2018
7. ↑ Dept of Veterans Affairs nominal roll of Vietnam Veterans: 11788 WOI Edwin Thomas Selby; accessed 26 Nov 2018
8. ↑ Australian War Memorial photograph: Northern Command Band in Chi Lang Gardens, Saigon; FAI/70/0716/VN
9. ↑ Australian Army Band Corps Association website; accessed 26 Nov 2018
10. ↑ Queensland Death Index #1988/173