Tags
Australia, Australian Imperial Force, Burslem, Graisley Lane, Hickman Street, High Street, Robert Edge, Wednesfield, Wednesfield Primitive Methodist Church, Wiltshire
Robert was born in Wolverhampton in 1872, the son of Robert and Rachel Edge. In 1881, he was living with his parents at High Street, Wednesfield, along with his sisters Mary, Ellen, Harriet and Martha. By 1891 he was visiting the home of Elizabeth Hadley at Graisley Lane, in Wednesfield, and was working as a chemist’s assistant. He married Gertrude Taylor on 28 February 1895 in St Paul’s Church, Burslem. By 1901, he was living with his wife and children Wilfred and Alice G. in Cannock. He was still working as a chemist’s assistant. In 1909, Robert was recorded as an inward passenger to Victoria, Australia.
Robert attested into the 27th Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force (service number 6318) at Black Boy Hill, Western Australia, on 19 October 1916, when his permanent address was located in Wagin, Western Australia. His papers stated that he had been rejected as unfit for His Majesty’s Service due to haemorrhoids. His next of kin was initially listed as his father, and later changed to his sister Helen Mason when his father died. Robert appears to have served mainly in Wiltshire in England, where he suffered several bouts of sickness, including influenza in 1917. On 4 April 1918 he died of pulmonary tuberculosis in Fovant Military Hospital. In his Will he bequeathed all of his estate to his sister, Nellie Mason, who subsequently received his 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, Memorial Scroll and Memorial Plaque. He was buried in Fovant (St George) Churchyard in Wiltshire, and his Burial Report notes that he was buried with Full Military Honours in a coffin of good polished Oak with brass fittings. The Band of the 6th Training Battalion (Australian Imperial Force) preceded the funeral, and a large wreath from the Officers, N.C.Os and men of the 6th Training Battalion was placed on the grave. He was also commemorated on the War Memorial tablet of Wednesfield Primitive Methodist Church in Hickman Street.
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The research for this blog post was carried out by one of our remote volunteers, Jacky de Escofet.
Wolverhampton's War 