see A names for introduction to the journal:
CAULFIELD War Memorial - IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE
MEN AND WOMEN WHO DIED IN THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM

A ... B ... C ... D ... E + F ... G ... H ... I+J+K
L ... M ... N+O+P ... R+S ... T+U+V ... W+Y

any SOLDIER known to have died as a POW is indicated by *


... E ...
EARLES, Lindsey Joseph Edward - Private 1914
- memorial has J. E. Earles
- born 1892 in Macarthur, Victoria. He attended Daylesford School
- a Clerk of Oswald St, Elsternwick
- served with 23 Infantry Battalion, A.I.F.
- embarked from Melbourne 26 Aug 1915 on HMAT Anchises
- sister, Mrs F. Lindrum, Oswald St, Elsternwick
- KILLED IN ACTION 28 July 1916 in the Battle of Pozieres aged 24
- Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France
* eye witness accounts:
- 5' 4", fresh complexion, grey eyes, light brown hari
... killed in action 28.7.16, previously reported Missing
... by Private Henry Dodd, 1706 "I knew Earles very well. We were chums, I have been constantly making enquiries about him. We were together at Pozieres up to go out. Earles went out as orderly to our Capt. Kennedy to take his messages. I was in the Reserve line behind the jumping pit trench at the time he went over. Earles orders were to keep in touch with his Capt. It was reported later that Earles was missing, and that our Capt. Kennedy badly wounded. The report followed that the Capt. fell into the hands of the enemy, and has since died a prisoner of war. Earles never came back. It is believed he was badly hit by a shell. If he had been taken prisoner, I should have heard from him before now, I was wounded 24 hours later"
... all the information I can give is the last I seen of him was following Captain Kennedy. Some mates say they went in search of Earles as he had a diamond ring and they wanted to get it to send home to his wife
... I knew Earles; his name was Lindsay. He was in D. and a bank clerk in Victoria and was runner for Capt. Kennedy and was killed at Pozieres on 28.7.16 and I saw his dead body in No Man's Land. I knew him well and passed his body. He had been Coy Clerk


EDEN, John Henry - Private 1709
- born 1887, Cheltenham, Victoria to Isaac James EDEN & Sarah RIDDELL & attended Heatherton State School. He became a Tram Conductor of Heatherton, on the Malvern Tram
- served with 23rd Battalion (Infantry)
- embarked from Melbourne 16 July 1915 on HMAT Demosthenes
- father, James Eden, c/o Heatherton P.O., Victoria
- KILLED IN ACTION 28 July 1916 Pozieres, France aged 19
- Serre Road Cemetery No 2, France
* he had his spine injured in July 1916 when the 'Southland' was torpedoed & spent 9 months in hospital in England. (see photo at G)
* 1st cousin of Private 1060 Robert Gordon Duncan


EDGAR, Walter - Corporal 10029
- born March 1891 in Caulfield to James Finlay EDGAR (1859-1918) & Rose Ann AICKEN (1861-1900) of County Down, Ireland, he attended Taronga Road State School
- he was a Clerk of Murray St, Colac
- served with 6th Field Ambulance
- embarked from Melbourne 30 March 1916 on HMAT Suffolk
- father, James Finlay Edgard, "Roseville" 73 Alma Rd., Caulfield
- DIED OF MENINGITIS 9 Aug 1919 in Caulfield Military Hospital aged 28
* The Colac Herald, 5 Sep 1917 Writing to a friend in Colac, Private Walter Edgar says that he has been awarded the Military Medal. The young soldier, who was well known in Colac, is to be congratulated upon his achievement. He left Australia in April 1916, and has been in some big events. He is a son of Mr James Edgar, of Caulfield, and nephew of Mr and Mrs W. R. Edgar of Colac
* The Argus, 11 Aug 1919 EDGAR ? On the 9th August, at Caulfield Military Hospital. Corporal Walter Edgar, M.M., loving son of the late James Finlay and Rose Edgar, loving brother of Corporal Leslie Edgar, aged 28 years


EDGERTON, Eric Henry Drummond - Lieutenant 1524A
- born 1 April 1897 at Moonee Ponds, Melbourne, to James EDGERTON, (secretary of an iron-rolling mill), & Florence 'Florrie' Grace SHACKLOCK, both Victorian-born. He was educated at Hawksburn State School and from 1911 at Wesley College, where he was very active in life-saving activities. In 1915 he passed the leaving certificate and on 14 April, describing himself as a student, enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force as a private (more at link)
- served as Private 1524A with 24th Battalion (Infantry)
- embarked from Melbourne 25 June 1915 on HMAT Ceramic
- mother, Florrie Edgerton, The Priory, Glen Eira-road, Elsternwick
- KILLED IN ACTION 11 Aug 1918 in France aged 21
- buried first Blangy-Tronville, later in Military Cemetery at Villers-Bretonneux:
* 5' 7", dark complexion, grey-blue eyes, dark brown hairvery boyish-looking, lithe and powerfully built
... Edgerton's letters home reveal a sensitive nature, love of beauty and a strong Christian faith: a padre wrote that the war's effect was to deepen his character and make him 'a true representative of the Master'. He is commemorated by a stained-glass window in the Cato Uniting Church, Elsternwick, Melbourne. Of his four brothers William became headmaster commander, Royal Australian Naval College; James was an industrialist and founder of the Australian Institute of Metals; and Clive, who joined the Royal Australian Air Force, was killed in a flying accident in 1935
... Three days after the great advance on 8 August the battalion went into the front line between Rainecourt and Framerville. On the night of 11-12 August, while standing talking to his men on the post, Edgerton was killed by a stray bullet from out of the darkness. No man in the 24th was more deeply mourned. He was just 21 and unmarried. On 8 November he was mentioned in dispatches


EDWARDS, Francis Thomas Aloysius 'Frank' - Sergeant 1649
- born 1888 at Carlton, Melbourne, the son of Francis Thomas EDWARDS & Annie NAGLE, he attended Christian Brother's College, East Melbourne then studied accountancy
- on enlistment he was a Clerk of "Araluen" Gisborne St, Elsternwick
- served with 39th Battalion (Infantry)
- embarked from Melbourne 27 May 1915 on Ascaneus
- father, Francis Thomas Edwards, "Araluen" Gisborne St, Elsternwick
- KILLED IN ACTION 30 Aug 1918 in Clery-sur-Somme France aged 30
- II. C. 16. Hem Farm Military Cemetery, (Curlu), Hem-Monacu, France
* medium height, slight build, sharp features, dark, turning grey
* eye witness report
... I saw Sgt Edward (A. Coy. H.Q. was acting C/S/W) was killed instantly by h.e. (high explosive) shell near Clery in a dugout about 6 p.m. Lieutenant Lefeure and Private Davis were killed by the same shell. He was buried at Corbie
* Frank was awarded the Military Medal on 26 Oct 1918, for gallantry in use of the Lewis gun in capturing an enemy machine post at Suzanne 24/25 August 1918
... On the night of the 24/25 August, two companies were advancing along the road in enemy country towards the village of Suzanne. When the companies got to within 50 yards of the objective, fire was opened on it by rifles and a machine gun from an enemy post in the wood on the left side of the road, and our troops had to halt and take cover. Sgt. Edwards who was in command of a platoon at the time, immediately got one of his Lewis guns in action firing on the enemy post, with the result that several of the enemy were either killed or wounded, and the remainder of the garrison fled leaving their guns. The prompt action undoubtedly saved heavy casualties to the two companies and the objective was gained without further resistance. The prompt action of this N.C.O. saved a critical situation and his conduct was most exemplary throughout the whole operation
- Due to the stress of war his father, Francis, died before the above communication was received.
* He was cousin to Patrick McGuiness who joined the A.I.F in Western Australia and was killed in action in France in 1918.
* At the time of Frank's death, the family were living at 5 Gisborne St., Elsternwick. father, Francis Thomas Edwards, died 9 November 1920 leaving a widow and two daughters.


ELDER, Howard Thomas - 2nd Lieutenant (Signalling Officer)
- memorial has H. G. Elder
- born in Footscray, Melbourne 15 July 1891, he attended Hawkesburn State School & spent five years in the Militia Forces
- at time of enlistment he was a Salesman of 30 Lorne Rd, East Prahran
- served with 5th Battalion (Infantry)
- embarked from Melbourne 21 Oct 1914 on HMAT Orvieto
- mother Mrs Julia Elder (nee Hinton) of Armadale"
- also, mother, Julia Elder, 30 Lorne Rd, East Prahran
- DIED OF HIS WOUNDS 9 May 1915 on board the H.S.Braemar Castle at sea, of wounds received the previous day at the Second Battle of Krithia aged 23
- Buried at sea between the Gallipoli Peninsula and Alexandria
- 24 Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey
* Howard held a commissioned rank in the 26th Signal engineers from 1913. He was promoted Lieutenant 1 Feb 1915


ELLIOT, Charles Clifton - Lieutenant 20215
- born July 1883 in East Melbourne & attended Wesley College in Melbourne
- served with 3rd Division Ammunition Column Australian Field Artillery
- embarked from Melbourne 20 May 1916 on HMAT Medic
- mother, Ellen Bessie Elliot, 44 Elizabeth St, Elsternwick
- also, mother, Ellen B. Elliot "Monkleigh", Gladstone-Parade, Elsternwick
- DIED 8 Nov 1918 at 12.15a.m. of Influenza, Broncho-pneumonia at 8th General, Rouen, France 35.3
- buried grave 9159, Block S, Plot 5, Row I at St Sever Cemetery, Rouen
- S. V. I. 14 St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France
* 5' 9?", fresh complexion, grey eyes, brown hair
* Charles was a Station Overseer and manager at Dunkeld, Victoria before enlisting
- at time of death his mother was living at 'Clifton" 44 Elizabeth St, Elsternwick
- brother of Mark Pringle Elliot below


ELLIOT, Mark Pringle - Gunner 20283
- born April 1885 in Bairnsdale, Victoria
- Farmer growing wheat, Gladstone Parade, Elsternwick
- served with 108th Howitzer Battery 8th Brigade Australian Field Artillery
- embarked from Melbourne 20 May 1916 on HMAT Medic
- mother, Ellen B. Elliot "Monkleigh", Gladstone-parade, Elsternwick
- DIED OF ALBUMINURIA 7 Dec 1917 in 2nd Stationery Hospital, Abbeville, France Abbeville aged 32
- Plot 3, Row F, Grave 5 Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France
* 5' 8?", fresh complexion, Hazel eyes, black hair
* brother of Charles Cligton Elliott above
The Argus, 31 December 1917 ELLIOT ? Died on the 7th of December, at 2nd Stationary Hospital, France, Gunner Mark Pringle Elliot, second son of the late Edward Cludde Elliot and Ellen B. Elliot, Gladstone parade, Elsternwick, aged 34 years


ETHEREDGE, William Walter - Private 3182
- born 1896 in East Melbourne to Alfred James ETHEREDGE (1855-1929) & Mary Ann FISHER (1863-1947 ), he attended Traralgon State School and the Australian Coaching College
- he was a Chemist when he enlisted at Jolimont 19 Jan 1915
- served with 6th Field Ambulance Australian Army Medical Corps
- embarked from Melbourne 4 June 1915 on HMAT Ajana
- mother, Mary Ann Etheredge, High St, Traralgon
- KILLED IN ACTION 27 Sep 1917 in Belgium aged 21
- Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery, Belgium
* The family lived first "Dunrobin" Traralgon, Victoria, then "Dunrobin" 18 York St., Caulfield.
* Brothers who served:
Donald James Etheredge (1898-1960) 27876
Lt. Col. Alfred Robert Etheredge (1894-1982)
* Cousins who served:
Major George Murray Campigli MC (1890-1951)
Donald Hugh Campigli DCM (1896-1953)
* Traralgon Record, 2 November 1917 Mr and Mrs A. J. ETHEREDGE and FAMILY desire to express their heartfelt Thanks to their many kind friends for expressions of sympathy, letters, telegrams and cards received in their recent sad bereavement, in the death of their loved son and brother, Will, killed in action September 27th "Dunrobin," High St, Traralgon


... F ...
FINCH, Frederick Thomas - Private 3296
- born 19 Jan 1897 in Beaufort, Victoria to Alfred Thomas FINCH (1860-1938) & Eleanor KERR (1865-1904)
- Frederick was a Grocer in Caulfield
- served with 6th Battalion (Infantry)
- embarked from Melbourne 11 Oct 1915 on HMAT Nestor
- sister, Edna Finch, Keeron St, Dumbarton, Caulfield (also Alder St)
- KILLED IN ACTION 5 June 1918 in France aged 21.5
- Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France
* 5' 6", fresh complexion, Grey eyes, dark borwn hair
* admitted to Hospital in Cairo with mumps 1 Feb 1916, discharged 21 Feb 1916. Disobedience of orders (leaving camp improperly dressed) 26 Feb 1916 cost him a days pay. Wounded in action 16 Aug 1916 admitted 13th General Hospital, Boulogne 19 Aug 1916 with gunshot wounds to head. Admitted to Hospital with Diarrhoea 17 Oct 1917, discharged 6 Nov 1917. AWOL for 37 hours in London 24 Jan 1918 cost him 7 days pay
* letter to his sister Edna on 9 July 1918 asking her if there were any nearer blood relatives than herself, for instance, is their father or any brothers still living


FLETT, Arthur Henry - Private 2655
- born 1892 in Warrnambool, Victoria to Peter J. FLETT (1855-1896) & Annie Tyler (1857-1935), he attended Warrnambool State School
- Arthur was a Painter
- served with 21st Battalion (Infantry)
- embarked from Melbourne
- mother, Annie Flett, 18 Villiers St, Elsternwick
- Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France
- KILLED IN ACTION 3 May 1917 in at Bullecourt, France aged 25
- body never recovered, memorial: Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France
* 5' 10?", sallow complexion, grey eyes, black hair


FORSTER, Leonard William 'Len' - Sergeant 5199
- memorial has I. W. Forster
- born 1893 Inkerman Rd., Caulfield to Henry William FORSTER & Jessie Graham WHEELER, he attended Caulfield Grammar School & in 1914 played Hockey for Victoria at the Interstate Hockey Carnival defeating South Australia
- enlisted from Broadmeadows
- a Stock Agent's Clerk for J. M. Peck & Sons, Melbourne
- served with 3 Light Horse Brigade Train
- embarked from Melbourne 2 Feb 1915 on HMAT Chilka
- mother, Jessue Graham Forster, 'Niagaroon', Inkerman Rd, Caulfield
- KILLED IN ACTION 1 Nov 1916 at Flers, France aged 23
- body taken by the Pioneers & buried near the Flers 'Dump', Somme
- Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France
* 5' 9?", medium complexion, blue eyes, dark brown hair
* he served in Egypt and Gallipoli with the 3rd Light Horse Brigade. Later transferred to the 56th
The Argus, December 1916
... FORSTER ? Killed in action in France 1st November Sergeant Leonard William, eldest son of Mr and Mrs H. W. Forster, Inkerman road, Malvern.
... FORSTER ? Killed in action, on 1st November, in France, Sergeant Leonard William, late of Inkerman road, Malvern. - (Inserted by the directors and staff of J. M. Peck and Sons Pty. Ltd., as a tribute to his many sterling qualities)
* eye witness accounts:
... he was killed while on his way to the Dump behind Flers on Nov 1st, by a shell. He was riding a horse and both were killed outright
... he was Sergeat of transport to 56th Battalion. He was just going into the line (Turk's Trench, Flers) when a shell got him and his horse. He was buried behind the lines. Our Pioneers made the cross with name, no, rank
... I knew casualty. He was a man about 5ft 10ins about 28 years of age. He was on horse-back at Turks Lane, Delville Wood. He was riding along when a shell exploded near by wounding two or three men. He went back to dress them and was mounting his horse again when another shell exploded overhead killing Casualty and his horse. He was buried just where he fell
... he was killed at Fleurs. I was beside him at the time. He was buried near the hospital. I would very much like to get into touch with his people. They could write to me. He was a particular friend of mine. I have his Sgt stripes which I have kept for his people. They might like to have them and to hear from me
... I knew him very well. He being a transport Sergeant, wnet out daily to the trenches with the Mule Train which carried food and water for the men and on the fateful day he was on his way out when they shelled very heavily. He was a fine fellow no doubt and unfortunately met his death at a place called Turk's Lane on the Somme on the date mentioned. I have received a letter from his fond mother, thanking me for a letter informing her of the death regarding the poor boy
* on 19 Oct 1922 his parents send a letter from Albert Park House, Bridport Street, Victoria
*J. M. Peck and Sons Pty. Ltd
* John Murray Peck, (1830-1903), coachline proprietor and auctioneer. born on 26 January 1830 at Lebanon, New Hampshire, United States of America, third son of John Waters Peck and his wife Frances (Fanny), n?e Huntington. His ancestors had arrived at Boston in 1637 from England and helped to found New Haven, Connecticut. Brought up on his parents' farm, Peck joined Wells, Fargo & Co. In June 1853 he arrived at Melbourne in the Eagle and with Freeman Cobb, James Swanton, and John B. Lamber soon founded a carrying company known as Cobb & Co.
* Richard Oren 'Dick' Peck (1864-1925), was the second son of the late John Murray Peck, of Lebanon, Pascoe Yale, and was born close to the Moonee Ponds Creek in 1864


FRETWELL, John Dewdney - Private 4499
- born March 1893, a Clerk of 42 Blenheim St, St Kilda
- served with 6th Battalion (Infantry)
- embarked from Melbourne 28 Jan 1916 on HMAT Themistocles
- sister, Elfreda D. Fretwell, 42 Blenheim St, St Kilda
- KILLED IN ACTION 19 Aug 1916 'in the Field', France aged 23
- Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France
* 5' 7?", sallow complexion, brown eyes, dark brown hair
* a letter written 7 Nov 1921 from A. (E.?) D. Fretwell of Northcote Ace, Caulfield, they confirm that the nearest relation of John is his eldest brother F. R. Fretwell of South Gippsland. His sister Elfreda asked in April 1916 if they had any info on a Robert Edward Dewdney Fretwell enlisting from Queensland


FRICKER, Norman Charles - Sergeant 1704
- born 1889 in Coghill's Creek, Australia to John George FRICKER (1860-1952 school master at Chinamans Flat) & Annie Louisa TINK (1863-1950)
- he was a Clerk of Middle Park, Melbourne on enlistment
- served with 21 Infantry Battalion, 2nd Reinforcements
- embarked from Melbourne 16 July 1915 on HMAT Demosthenes
- father, John George Fricker, 57 McGregor St, Middle Park, Melbourne
- KILLED IN ACTION 26 Aug 1916 at Mouquet Farm, Somme, France aged 19
- Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France
* eye witness accounts:
- dark, tanned skin, full round face, dark hair & eyes, well built, 5' 8" or 5' 9"
... I was the last man to see Sergt. Fricker and had to give evidence as to his disappearance afterwards. He and I and Tom Watkins were all three together on August 26th during the attack at Mouquet Farm. We left the Quarry at 4a.m. and took the German first line, and dug ourselves in beyond. We were taking messages, and I took a message. The Germans began to bomb us and the two others disappeared. I had to go on in from there but never saw Sergt Fricker again. It is impossible to say whether he is a prisoner or not
... I came over from Victoria with N. C. Fricker. He was acting R.S.H. in Heliopolis, Egypt from Aug 16th 1915 for about 1 month. In July 1916 he was in France with the 2nd Div. I was talking to Lieut H. Craig about 18th Dec 1916 and we both thought that N. C. Fricker was taken prisoner about 26th Aug and I understood that Lieut Craig had written to N. C. Fricker's people to this effect
... I feel sure that Sergt Fricker is a prisoner of war and that news came through to one of the lads. We made an attack about Aug 26th at Pozieres, we went over about 3.45a.m., we took two lines and held them
... I knew Fricker and his number, He was in my Coy. B. & 6 Plt. He was the 2nd or 3rd Reinforcements and had been on the Peninsula. He was Regt. Sgt. Major in Egypt but was Sgt. when he was taken prisoner at Mouquet. Everybody in the battalion knows he was taken prisoner. It was in orders and some have had letters from him. N. Fricker has two brothers in the 3rd Division
* much was done to find Norman and it was finally determined that he was not a prisoner of war and was declared as Killed in Action, body not found



PHOTO
The Battle of Pozieres, Somme, France 23 July?7 August 1916
see Lindsey Joseph Edward Earles
& John Henry Eden
& Norman Charles Fricker