Luff, Edgar John

56994 Private John Edgar Luff - 10th Light Horse Regiment & WX26038 

Edgar John Luff was born in Fremantle WA on the 26th February 1898 to Peter and Mary Luff. He was one of thirteen children, with Jack (1885), Thomas (1886), Ernest (1887), Eva (1890), Andrew (1891), Alfred (1893), Harold (1894), Alma (1896), Maplemore (1900), Amy (1903), Ruby (1905) and Peter (1907).

The family lived in 212 Mary Street Fremantle and Edgar was educated at White Gum Valley Primary School. After leaving school Edgar took up an apprenticeship to learn to be a farrier. The apprenticeship was in Fremantle with the Company Johnston and Mckenzie. The apprentice was four and a half years in length, during which time Edgar also served for four years with the 86A Cadets and after he left the cadets continued on with another two years with the Australian Garrison Artillery.

When he was 19 years old Edgar went to the AIF recruitment office on the 20th December 1917 and enlisted into the AIF. The medical examiner passed him as fit for service and recorded his physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 9 inches tall;

Weight - 154 lbs;

Chest Measurement - 34-36 inches;

Complexion - Fair;

Eyes - Blue;

Hair - Light Brown.

After his successful enlistment, he was initially sent to Blackboy Hill Camp but was then chosen for training at a Wireless School. This was in NSW so Edgar travelled to Sydney and joined the Wireless Training School. Once he finished this training he was taken to the Infantry Training Depot at Liverpool Camp and then transferred to the Light Horse Training Depot.

On the 10th June 1918 Edgar left Sydney on the transport ship Wiltshire and set sail for Egypt, arriving there on the 17th July 1918. After his arrival Edgar was attached to the Australian Army Veterinary Corps. Edgar only joined the 10th Light Horse Regiment on the 12th December 1918.

Though he didn't serve with the 10th Light Horse against the Turkish forces he served with them in the Egyptian uprising.

In April 1919 Edgar was diagnosed as suffering from small pox and was hospitalised. He spent the next two months in hospital recovering. On the 24th July 1919 Edgar boarded the Hospital Transport Dongola and set sail for home, reaching Fremantle on the 17th August 1919.

Edgar Luff was discharged from the AIF on the 8th February 1920.

After he was discharged from the AIF, Edgar continued with his service in the Citizen Military Forces, firstly with the Garrison Artillery and then the 10th Light Horse Regiment. His occupation as a Veterinary Farrier came in very useful to the Light Horse.

Edgar also worked at this occupation as his full time career and this took him to Poppanning.

In December 1923 he married Doris Mainstone in Fremantle. (Photo below)

The wedding took place at St John's Church Fremantle and Edgar's best man was Doris's brother Ernie Mainstone. The reception was held at the Cabin tea rooms.

A daughter Lois was born in September 1924.

They spent the next several years in Poppanning and the family only moved back to Perth when Edgar's Army service had him based at Karrakatta.

In World War Two Edgar again offered his services. As he was still serving in the 10th Light Horse of the Citizens Military Forces it was a smooth transition. Edgar was called up to full time status on 5th October 1941. After serving in Bunbury and Perth for the next several months in July 1942 Edgar was transferred to the 2nd AIF which meant that he could serve overseas and not just in Australia. However he continued to serve with the 10th Light Horse throughout WA until 1944 when he was transferred to NSW for a period of service with the 21st Australian Works Company. He also spent time with the 22nd Australian Works Company and returned to WA in October 1945.

Edgar Luff died on the 22nd January 1970 aged 71 and he was cremated at Karrakatta Cemetery.