Edward Edwards was born in Ballarat and was a Collarmaker by trade when he enlisted in the 51st Battalion, 8th Reinforcement on 20 September 1916 at the age of 30. His unit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A35 Berrima on 23 December 1916. He trained with the 4th Depot Battalion before being allotted to artillery reinforcements as a gunner with the service number 3826. Before he could embark for active service he was twice guilty of being absent without leave, for a total of 36 days, and consequently was discharged in May 1916. Four months later, on September 20th, he re-enlisted in Perth but again noted Young Street in Ballarat as his permanent address. After further training in England he joined the 51st Battalion in France in July 1917. On January 30th 1918 he was wounded in action, gassed, and evacuated to the Guildford War Hospital in England. Whilst in hospital he was diagnosed with æheart trouble' and it was decided he should return to Australia. He returned on the Wandilla, disembarking at Melbourne before travelling overland to Perth where he was discharged as æmedically unfit – disability – dilation of the heart'.
Tree No 2149