Edward Brownfield
History
Widow Susan Brownfield from Martin Street, Ballarat East was the mother of Edward Brownfield who attended the Eureka Street State School. Edward was employed at the Ballarat Woollen Mill at the time of his World War One enlistment in July 1915. He declared himself to be 19 years and nine months of age and produced a letter from his mother consenting to his serving overseas. He sailed from Melbourne on 29 December 1915. In June 1916, after a period in Egypt, he joined the 14th Battalion in France and was killed in action near Bois Grenier on 3 July 1916. Susan later received her son’s belongings – an identity disc, his wallet and some letters. Official army records list his age as 20 at the time of his death, but after the war Susan admitted that he was 18 when he died. She experienced some difficulty getting Edward’s medals and was required to substantiate her claim in response to a direction that the hierarchy for the distribution of medals was:- ‘Widow, eldest surviving son, eldest surviving daughter, father, mother, eldest surviving brother, eldest surviving sister, eldest surviving half-brother, eldest surviving half-sister.’ She eventually prevailed. Edward is buried at the Brewery Orchard Cemetery and is commemorated on the Eureka Street State School Honour Board and at tree No. 1114 in Ballarat’s Avenue of Honour.[1]
Legacy
The World War One service of Edward Brown is recognised in the Ballarat Avenue of Honour (Tree 1114), the Eureka Street State School Honour Board, and the Ballarat Woollen Mills Avenue of Honour. His tree in the Ballarat Woollen Mills Avenue of Honour was planted by D. Kerr[2] in August 1918.[3]
Obituary
See also
Notes
References
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/AnzacCentenary/posts/1375593052500152:0, accessed 28 April 2017.
- ↑ Research by Michael Taffe. 2017.
- ↑ Ballarat Star, 24 August 1918.
Further Reading
External links
https://www.facebook.com/AnzacCentenary/posts/1375593052500152:0
--Clare K.Gervasoni 15:36, 27 April 2017 (AEST)--