KIA

Edwin was born in 1885 at Strathbogie, VIC to James Morley and Mary Ann Johnston.

Edwin joined the Victorian Police⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾ force in March 1909 and was stationed at Russell Street until November 1911 when he transferred to Warburton, VIC - after a few months he transferred to the Mounted Branch - then to a mounted constable's position at Bacchus Marsh. In June 1912 Edwin married Evelyn Ewart of Launching Place, and when a vacancy occurred at Wallan Wallan as Oficer-in-Charge he took it.

click to enlarge
courtesy of Bob Sutherland from
Missing Soldiers of Fromelles
Discussion Group

Edwin resigned from the Police force when he enlisted in the AIF, 7^th Reinforcements, 21^st Battalion on the 26^th of July 1915, aged 30. He embarked aboard the HMAT A18 Wiltshire in November, disembarking in Egypt some time later.

In February 1916 Edwin transferred to the 60^th Battalion and was promoted to Corporal and then to Acting Sergeant. In May, after attending a school of instruction he was then promoted to Sergeant before embarking from Alexandria, Egypt in June, disembarking at Marseilles, France a few days later. On the 19^th of July Edwin was killed in action during the disaster that was the Battle of Fromelles.

Fleurbaix 19th July he went over the trenches with me, and was killed about 70 yards out in No Man's Land by Machine gun fire. I was lying out from Wed. to Friday and he was lying beside me. There could not be any mistake about him, you could see he was dead. He was my Sgt...

Source: Private J Dillon

Edwin listed in the Bacchus Marsh & District Roll of Honour. He is also remembered in the Euroa Avenue of Honour, the Strathbogie War Memorial, the Wallan War Memorial, possibly the Wallan Presbyterian Church Honour Roll and at VC Corner Australian Cemetery and Memorial, Fromelles, France.

Notes

1. Sourced from the Victorian Police Museum by Daniel Cahir
2. He had previously been stationed at Bacchus Marsh for some time and was a prominent footballer and cricketer. - The Bacchus Marsh Express 24 Jul 1915