Francis Thomas Edwards was born in Ballarat and was a Turner and Fitter by trade when he enlisted in the Australian Flying Corps, May 1918 Reinforcement on 16 May 1918 at the age of 18. He trained at Broadmeadows and Laverton, and while at Laverton he was hospitalised for a week suffering from influenza. He was then transferred to the Isolation Camp at Ascot Vale. Once restored to good health he was attached to the Australian Flying Corps Reinforcements as an Air Mechanic 2nd Class. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board SS Zealandic on 5 October 1918. As a member of No. 2 Squadron AFC he reached France in late December 1918, after the war had ended. He returned to Australia on the Argyllshire, reaching Melbourne on September 22nd 1919.
Tree No 3636