Edwin Joseph FULLER

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4493), Edwin Joseph Fuller was born at Norwood, England. He gave his age as 21 years and 6 months, his marital status as single and his occupation as laborer. His description on his medical was height 5 feet 3 7/8 inches tall, weight 9 stone 10 lbs., with a fair complexion, brown eyes, and brown hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. He claimed that he had no previous military experience. He completed his medical on the 23^rd October 1915 at Orange, and was attested by Captain Nicholas at Orange on the 24^th October 1915.

He was named as one of the recruits who joined the Coo-ees at Orange in the Leader.[1]

After completing the Coo-ee March he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was Cresswell Hall, Easter Avenue, Kensington, Sydney, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his father, J. E. [John Edwin] Fuller, 6 Southdown Road, Stanley Road, Wallington, Surrey, England. (He had listed his posted address as “Orange” on his initial Application to Enlist in the Australian Imperial Force form addressed to the Recruiting Officer at Orange).

On 16^th February 1916 Private Fuller was one of the first group of Coo-ees to embark overseas, and departed Sydney on the HMAT Ballarat A70 as 14^th reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.

During the voyage, Private Fuller was charged with being absent without leave from 0500 till 1900 on 8^th March 1916 whilst at Colombo, Ceylon. He was fined 1 day’s pay.

The HMAT Ballarat A70 arrived in Egypt on 22^nd March 1916. On 1^st April 1916 Private Fuller was transferred to the 54^th Battalion.

On 19^th June 1916 Private Fuller left Alexandria aboard H.T. Caledonian bound for France. On 26^th June 1916 whilst at sea he was charged with Slackness at Sentry Post. He was awarded 14 days Field Punishment Number 2. The HT Caledonian arrived at Marseilles on 29^th June 1916.

On the 19^th/20^th July 1916 Private Fuller participated in the Battle of Fromelles. He survived the battle unscathed, however on 31^st July 1916 he was sent to the 14^th Field Ambulance suffering shell shock. On 2^nd August he was moved back to a Casualty Clearing Station. He rejoined the 54^th Battalion on 16^th August 1916.

On 25^th November 1916 Private Fuller was sent to the 14^th Field Ambulance ill with Influenza. On 26^th November 1916 he was moved back to the 38^th Casualty Clearing Station. On 28^th November 1916 he was placed aboard an Ambulance train and sent to the 5^th General Hospital at Rouen, France, being admitted on 29^th November 1916. On 8^th December 1916 he was placed aboard the Hospital Ship Carisbrook Castle at Le Harve and evacuated to England.

After he had recovered in England, on 16^th January 1917 Private Fuller departed Folkestone, England, aboard the Transport Princess Clementine bound for France. On 17^th January 1917 he arrived at the 5^th Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples, France.

On 19^th January 1917 Private Fuller was charged with being absent from medical parade after being duly warned for draft. He was awarded 4 days Field Punishment Number 2.

On 31^st January 1917 Private Fuller was charged with being in Etaples without a pass. He was awarded 8 days Field Punishment Number 2.

On 8^th February 1917 Private Fuller rejoined the 54^th Battalion when it was manning the front line in the vicinity of Longueval, France.

On 30^th April 1917 Private Fuller was sent to the 15^th Field Ambulance sick with Influenza. He was admitted to the 5^th Division Rest Station later that day. On 25^th June 1917 he rejoined the 54^th Battalion when it was conducting training at Warloy, France.

On 16^th September 1917 Private Fuller was promoted to Lance Corporal.

On 20^th September 1917 Lance Corporal Fuller went on leave to England. He rejoined the 54^th Battalion on 4^th October 1917.

Three weeks later on 23^rd October 1917 Lance Corporal Fuller was wounded in action, being gassed. He was sent to the 8^th Australian Field Ambulance. On 24^th October 1917 he was moved back to the 5^th Division Rest Station. He rejoined the 54^th Battalion on 7^th November 1917.

On 25^th February 1918 Lance Corporal Fuller went to Paris on leave. He rejoined the 54^th Battalion on 9^th March 1918.

On 19^th March 1918 Lance Corporal Fuller was sent to the 14^th Field Ambulance suffering Scabies. He was sent to the 5^th Australian Division Rest Station later that day, He rejoined the 54^th Battalion on 23^rd March 1918.

On 25^th September 1918 Lance Corporal Fuller went on leave to England.

He returned from leave on 11^th October 1918 and was transferred to the 56^th Battalion.

On 9^th April 1919 Lance Corporal Fuller marched into the Australian Base Depot at Le Harve, France, to commence his return to Australia. He departed France on 16^th April 1919. He arrived at Weymouth, England on 17^th April 1919 and marched into the Number 5 Group.

Lance Corporal Fuller departed Devonport, England, on 2^nd June 1919 for return to Australia, aboard the H.T. Beltana. He arrived in Australia on 19^th July 1919. He was discharged Termination of Enlistment on 12^th September 1919.

[1] ‘The Recruits’, Leader, 25 October 1915, p. 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article117842599’