EDWARDS Harold Frank

Harold Frank Edwards was a child of Samuel Johnson Edwards and Martha Ann Savage. He was a young man of 22 years and 2 months when he enlisted for the Great War on 23 December 1915 at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. His occupation was a farmer at the time. Harold stood 5 feet 9 inches (175.3cm) and weighed 144 pounds (65.3kg). He was described as having a dark complexion with brown eyes and brown hair. Harold had a distinctive scar on his left shin and 2 others on his right foot. He noted his religion as Methodist. Harold was a single man and listed his mother, who was living at South Pine Road, Enoggera at the time, as his next of kin. Later his parents moved to Cooroy, Queensland.

On 11 May 1916, Gunner Harold F. Edwards of 9 F.A.B. (Field Artillery Brigade) boarded the HMAT “Agyllshire” at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia to serve his King and country. Whilst on the voyage, he was promoted to A/Bdr. (Acting Bombardier) and disembarked Devonport, England on 10 July 1916. Still in England in August 1916, Harold was promoted to Prov. Bdr. (Provisional Bombardier) and Bdr. on 28 December 1916 when he had taken on strength of 9 F.A.B. and transferred to 8 F.A.B. 2 days later, Harold proceeded overseas to France and in February 1917, he was with 3 A.D. (Aust. Divisional) Gas School for 5 days. He was appointed T/Cpl (Temporary Corporal) on 01 September 1917 and reverted to Bdr. on 25 September when he was wounded in action. He was admitted to 7 A.F.A. (Aust. Field Ambulance) with a cut back and some shell remaining. 2 days later, Harold was discharged to duty.

Harold was granted 5 days of special leave at Paris in October 1917. On 19 November 1917, he was promoted to T/Cpl and to Cpl on 19 February 1918. In March, Harold was promoted to Sgt (Sergeant) before being granted furlough (leave) in England. He rejoined his unit on 09 April and remained with them until 28 July 1918 when disembarked England and attached to R.B.A.A. (Reserve Brigade Australian Artillery) as a permanent cadre. Harold remained in England until 29 January 1919, when he proceeded to France and rejoined 8 F.A.B. in early February. After a month, Harold was ordered back to England in March to prepare for his voyage home.

Harold was charged on 08 May 1919 at Bath with being A.W.L. (absent without leave) from 2359hrs on 02 May 1919 to 1730hrs on 03 May 1919 when seen by M.P. (Military Police) at G.M.R. (Great Western Railway) Station. He was reprimanded and awarded a total forfeiture of 1 days’ pay. On 12 May 1919, Harold embarked England aboard H.T. “Zealandic” and arrived at Australia on 28 June. He was discharged from the A.I.F. on 16 August 1919.

GYMPIE TIMES 5 July 1919
Sgt HF Edwards welcomed home

On 20 April 1923, Harold married Mary Victoria Hamilton in Queensland. Harold served during WW2 from May 1942 to February 1943.

Cooroy District Soldiers Poster - No 39 in Returned Soldiers;

Cooroy District Honor Roll (Enlistments), Cooroy Memorial Hall, Maple Street, Cooroy;

Shire of Noosa Roll of Honor, Shire Council Chambers, Pelican Street, Tewantin.

Funeral notice emailed from Newcastle Library.