Gosling, Edward
1271 Corporal Edward Gosling - 5th Pioneer Battalion AIF
Edward Gosling was born in Kent England in 1891 to James and Ellen Gosling. He had several siblings, with, William 1882, Elizabeth 1887, Gertrude 1889, Ethel 1890, George 1892 and Daisy 1895. He grew up and was educated in Plumstead Kent England and after leaving school took up work locally as a labourer.
James came to Western Australia on the 12th November 1910 aboard the transport ship Armadale and took up residence at 171 or 177 Forrest Street East Fremantle. (later renumbered to 100 Forrest St).
On the 12th July 1915 Edward enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. He was passed as fit for service with the medical examiner recording Edward's physical attributes as;
Height - 5 feet 6 inches tall;
Weight - 147lbs;
Chest Measurement - 36-38 inches;
Complexion - Fair;
Eyes - Brown;
Hair - Brown.
Upon his successful enlistment Edward was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to No.16 Depot Training Company. He did not have long there as he was soon transferred to "D" Company of the 32nd Battalion AIF.
The 32nd Battalion would have two companies formed in South Australia and two in Western Australia. The Western Australian Companies were transferred to Adelaide to join their South Australian counterparts in training. The South Australians took the WA boys into their hearts and homes and many lifelong friendships sprung up.
After completing their training in South Australia, Edward embarked from Adelaide on the HMAT Geelong which arrived in Suez on the 18th December 1915.
Many men of the 32nd Battalion would have been expecting to be sent to Gallipoli but as the Allies withdrew from Anzac Cove and Suvla on the 20th December, the 32nd Battalion, along with the other three battalions of the 8th Brigade were kept in Egypt. Their duties entailed protecting the Suez Canal from Turkish forces as well as undertaking further training. Three new divisions of the AIF were about to be formed and in March 1916 the 8th Brigade joined up to the 5th Division AIF.
The 32nd spent the first 6 months of 1916 in the Egyptian desert. However Edward only remained with the 32nd Battalion until the 3rd March 1916. He was then transferred into the 5th Pioneer Battalion AIF.
The Pioneer Battalions helped construct front lines trenches, communication trenches, dugouts, fixed roads and other labouring duties as required. They could also serve as front line infantry if required.
Unfortunately Edward's service record is missing several pages which would have shown his movements between 1916-1918. However from the units records we know that Edward served at the Battle of Fromelles in July 1916 and came through unscathed.
He then served on the Somme battlefield from October 1916 to March 1917 before heading to the Bapaume, Lagnicourt and Bullecourt sector in April and May 1917.
From June to August 1917 the 5th Pioneers had a break from front line service during which time was taken up with sporting and training activities.
From September to November 1917 Edward served at the Third Battle of Ypres at places such as Polygon Wood, Broodseinde Ridge and Zonnebeke. He came through these actions unscathed and was promoted to Lance Corporal.
From December 1917 to March 1918 the 5th Pioneers served south east of Ypres between Hollebeke and Messines. As a result of the German offensive of March 21st 1918, when the Germans broke through the British lines further south, the Australian Divisions were sent south to the Somme region to help stop this advance.
From April to July 1918 the 5th Division served around Villers-Bretonneux and the Somme river. It was around this time that Edward was promoted to the rank of Corporal.
On August 8th 1918 the large advance on the Amiens front commenced when Australian, British and Canadian Divisions attacked and broke through the German lines The 5th Australian Division was constantly in action from August 8th to September 18th 1918. During this tome the 5th Division also assisted in the capture of the vital French city of Peronne. Edward came through this time unscathed.
After September 18th the 5th Australian Division was withdrawn from the front for a well deserved rest. They were just about to return to the front line when the Armistice was announced on the 11th November 1918.
Once the Germans had withdrawn to their own borders, the Australians were sent into what had been German occupied parts of Belgium and France. They remained here into the first few months of 1919. Edward then appears to have returned to England in March 1919.
On the 13th April 1919 Edward boarded the transport ship Wyreema and set sail for Australia, reaching Fremantle on the 24th May 1919. He was discharged from the AIF on 16th July 1919.
He then returned to live in Forrest Street Fremantle.
In 1920 Edward married Mary Josephine Earley In Fremantle. They had a son James born in 1921 and William in 1924.
The family were living at 189 Forrest Street (later renumbered 114 Forrest). They were living here through to the 1960's.
Edward Gosling died on the 1st September 1970 at Hollywood Hospital aged 79. He was buried at Fremantle Cemetery plot LAWN A 0027