Photo of Harold Edwards

Harold Edwards

Lieutenant

21st Infantry Battalion

Medals Earned

  • British War Medal
  • 1914-15 Star
  • Distinguished Conduct Medal
  • Military Medal
  • Victory Medal
  • Military Cross

Tree Information

  • Species: Ulmus sp.
  • Planted By: Miss J. Shaw
  • Plaque: 3217

Additional Info

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Biography

John Harold McKenzie Edwards (SN 845/Lt.) was born at Terang and was a 24 year old labourer when he enlisted in Melbourne on April 9th 1915 as Harold Edwards. Posted to the 21st Infantry Battalion, and already at the rank of Sergeant, he embarked from Melbourne on May 10th aboard the Ulysses, destined to earn a reputation as an outstanding infantryman. On multiple occasions he showed outstanding gallantry, initiative and disregard for his own safety. He was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery at Gallipoli in 1915. In August 1916, at Mouquet Farm in France, his selfless gallantry earned him a Distinguished Conduct Medal, second only to the Victoria Cross. In December 1917 he was commissioned as a Lieutenant. In July 1918, near Villers-Bretonneux, despite wounds to his leg and shoulder, another act of outstanding gallantry earned him a Military Cross. He returned to Australia aboard the Karagola, disembarked at Melbourne on June 12th 1919 and was discharged in August. He died on July 1st 1942, lost at sea, when he was a civilian prisoner of war aboard the Montevideo Maru which was torpedoed and sunk by the American submarine USS Sturgeon.

Location in Ballarat Avenue of Honour