Oswald Edward Edis

  General Notes:

WW1 Embarkation Record
Edis, Oswald Edward
Service Number: 1915
Rank/Calling: Private
Unit: 23 Infantry Battalion - 1 to 8 Reinforcements (May 1915 - January 1916)
Ship Name: HMAT Anchises
Ship Number: A68
Date of Embarkation: 26/08/1915
Place of Embarkation: Melbourne

Edis, Oswald Edward
Number: 1915
Rank: Private [Pte]
Unit: 23rd Bn Australian Inf
Service: Army
Conflict: 1914-1918
Date of Death: 04/08/1916
Place of Death:
Cause of Death:
Memorial Panel: 98
Cemetery or Memorial Details: FRANCE 1890 Serre Road Cemetery No 2
Next Of Kin:
Place Of Enlistment: Kyabram, VIC
Native Place:
Notes: EDIS, Pte. Oswald, 1915. 23rd Bn. Australian Inf. 4th Aug., 1916. Age 19. Son of David and the late Mary Edis. Born at Kyabram, Victoria. XI. B. 12.

David was educated at the Kyabram State School and then Wesley College. He hadn’t yet taken up an occupation before joining the army in 1914.
He served in Gallipoli, Egypt and France. He was killed in action on the 4th August 1916.
The Kyabram Free Press, Friday, September 8, 1916.
News was received yesterday that Pte. O. E. Edis, youngest son of Mr. David Edis of Kyabram, had been killed in action on August 4th. Private Edis was 19 years of age, a native of Kyabram, and had just completed his education at Wesley College when he enlisted. For his father (who is visiting New South Wales) and his relatives, the deepest sympathy is felt.
The Age, Saturday, September 9, 1916.
EDIS, - killed in action in France, on August 4, Oswald Edward, dearly loved younger son of David Edis, Kyabram, loving brother of Hannah, David J. and Clara, and dearly loved nephew of Miss S. Edis, aged 19 years and 4 months.
EDIS - A tribute of love to the memory of our dear friend, Pte. Oswald E. Edis, who was killed in action in France on August 4, 1916.
Till we meet again
(inserted by Clarence and Basil Stafford, Punt Road Parsonage, South Yarra.

Oswald Edward Edis enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 16/5/1915. His father Mr David Edis, Kyabram, Vic was his next of kin. His medical record on the 1/6/1915 shows that he was: - 18 years and 2 months old, five feet five inches in height, weight - nine stone ten pound, chest measurement 32/35 inches, complexion - sallow, eyes - brown, hair - black and religion - Methodist. He had a vac on left arm and a mole on his back left thigh.
Oswald fought in France and was killed in action on the 4/8/1916.
His father David received the personal effects of his late son: - wallet, photos, card, letter, 2 diaries, paper cuttings and Post Office receipt.
David wasn’t too happy with the personal effects and let the Army know.

Kyabram
Aug 1st 1917
To the Officer in Charge.
Base Records Office.

Sir,
The enclosed receipt for personal effects ex “Themistocles” of the late No 1915 Pte O E Edis 23rd Battn seems to read as though nothing more is to be expected. If this is so I would like to respectfully point out that the articles were a lot of useless discarded things & not the real personal effects, which the late soldier & the Battn Chaplain wrote would be forwarded in case of his death. The money found on him has been received here so in due course the other things should arrive also, I am mentioning this matter with all respect to your office but to leave the way open for future inquiries if the effects do not come to hand.
Yours respectfully,
David Edis.
Another parcel was sent Ex. Kit Store: - Belt & Badges, Pr Opera Glasses, Writing Pad, 2 Writing Wallets, Testament, Penknife, Book, Letter, Curios and Key.
David Edis received a Memorial Scroll and King’s message, a Memorial Plaque and King’s message as well as his late son’s Victory, British war and Star Medals.


Letter addressed to Mr David Edis 9 Feb 1927
P.O. Kyabram, V.
Dear Sir,
With further reference to the report of the regrettable loss of your son, the late No. 1915 Private O.E. Edis, 23rd. Battalion. I am now in receipt of advice that the Imperial War Graves Commission in the course of exhumation work in the vicinity of Pozieres have been successful in recovering the remains of this soldier, which have since been interred with every measure of care and reverence in the -

SERRE ROAD CEMETERY NO. 2, BEAUMONT HAKKL.
Plot 11, Row “B”, Grave 12.

Situated 6 and three quarter miles North of Albert, France, where a permanent headstone of uniform design will be erected and engraved with his full regimental description and date of death, etc, together with any verse or epitaph previously furnished in the form of a personal inscription.
It is the practice of the Commission to notify Relatives direct when the headstones are finally in position, and at a later date the opportunity will be afforded you of obtaining a copy of the printed Register containing full particulars of all British and Dominion burials in the above named Cemetery.
I am also enclosing herewith the late soldier's identity disc, which was recovered at the time. This memento though now somewhat impaired by long exposure will doubtless be valued by you on account of its former intimate association with your Son and I trust same comes safely to Hand.