Garland, Edgar Hugh

5012 Private Edgar Hugh Garland - 28th Battalion AIF

Edgar Hugh Garland was born in Fremantle WA on the 7th December 1897 to Archer and Jane Garland. He was one of eight siblings, with, Morgan 1883, William 1887, Herbert 1891, Marion 1892, Dorothea 1894, Charles 1896, John 1900 and Idris 1904.

After his birth the family moved to Subiaco in 1900 and then Maylands.

Sadly he lost both his parents within a year of each other, on the 21st December 1912 his father Archer died and on the 23rd September 1913 his mother died. He then resided with his eldest brother Morgan.

Edgar had been educated in Subiaco and Maylands and during this time served with the 89A Cadets in Victoria Park. After he left school he took up work as a labourer.

Charlie had tried to enlist into the Australian Imperial Force in 1915 but was knocked back due to cardiac issues. However, he tried again on the 20th February 1916 and was accepted for service. The medical examiner recorded his physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 4 & 1/2 inches tall;

Weight - 105lbs;

Chest Measurement - 30-34 inches;

Complexion - Dark;

Eyes - Light Blue;

Hair - Light Brown.

After his successful enlistment Edgar was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to No.50 Training Depot. He spent a few days on basic infantry training and was then chosen to attend the Signalling School. Edgar was at the Signalling School for the 10th March to 1st May 1916. He had successfully passed to be a Signaller and was then assigned to the 13th Reinforcements to the 28th Battalion AIF. He trained with this reinforcement group in WA for a few months and in July 1916 they received their departure orders.

They entrained for Fremantle Harbour where they boarded the transport ship HMAT Seang Bee. The ship then set sail on the 18th July 1916 for England, reaching Plymouth on the 9th September 1916. The men were then disembarked and sent to the 7th Training Battalion at Rollestone Camp on the Salisbury Plains.

Edgar spent the next two months in England training and on the 19th November 1916 proceeded overseas for France. After arriving at Etaples he was sent to the 2nd Australian Division Base Depot Camp. He had two weeks in this camp and then proceeded to the 28th Battalion, being taken on strength on the 4th December 1916.

The 28th battalion were then situated on the Somme battlefield undergoing a very cold French winter. Edgar served for the next few months but on the 8th February 1917 was evacuated ill with blistered feet as well as rheumatic fever. He was sent to No.6 General Hospital at Rouen and stayed there till the 4th March 1917. Edgar was then sent to a convalescent camp for a further week. On the 11th March 1917 he was then sent to England for further treatment and was admitted to the 3rd London General Hospital at Wandsworth. He was also found to be suffering from cardiac issues.

He remained here for a few more weeks and was then transferred to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield on the 27th April 1917. The Australian medical authorities now assessed his feet condition as not likely to improve so it was recommended that Edgar be returned to Australia.

On the 11th May 1917 Edgar was sent to No.2 Command Depot Camp at Weymouth and he remained here for the next few months while waiting to be assigned a berth on a ship home. On the 22nd July 1917 Edgar boarded the transport ship Nestor and set sail for home, reaching Fremantle on the 13th September 1917.

After being disembarked Edgar was sent to No.8 Australian General Hospital in South Terrace Fremantle for a full medical checkup. Edgar was found to have advanced cardiac disease and was also anaemic.

Edgar was discharged from the AIF on the 4th October 1917.

On his return home was living in Claremont and was assigned a military pension of 60/- per fortnight. His medical condition was caused by prolonged exposure while in the trenches.

In 1920 Edgar got married to Gwendoline Georgina Owen; and they had the following children, Owen born in 1920, Lesley in 1923 and Laurel 1925. The family then lived at Carmel in the Swan Valley.

In 1925 the family were still living in Carmel WA where due to ill health he remained on the soldiers pension.

Edgar died on the 3rd September 1925 in Carmel WA aged just 27. He was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery Plot Wesleyan BA 0493.