Diary of Maude Elizabeth Edmondson, 3 September 1939 - 19 October 1940 - Part 2

16
LT. F.A. MacKell
B^co 2/17 Abroad
16-5-41
Dear Mr & Mrs Edmondson
Jack was a
marvellous chap & he will never be

forgotten by his comrades on this side
He was idolised by the men he
commanded and every one was his
friend.
Jack saved my life during the
engagement in which he was Killed
and there is nothing I may do to repay
him. All I am able to do is to
offer you the sympathy of his 40 friends
in the 16^th platoon.
You may not have heard the
circumstances of his death, & as it is
an outstanding example of his courage
& leadership I will tell you as much
as I may
His Sec' was allotted a particularly
hazardous to perform on the night of
April 14th_* They were delighted to be
given the job as upon its success
[*Symphony was from 40 men (Privates)/ (I was April 13^th night) in EE*]
17
defended the safety of their comrades & many
others
He was hit four times whilst approaching
German machine gunners. but he
continued on & was responsible for
despatching many of them. At one time
I got into difficulties  — one call to
Jack to come to me was sufficient to
bring him running to my side &
it was only a matter of moments.
before I was out of trouble.
It was obvious at this stage that
Jack was badly hit, he scattered the
remaining Germans & we returned
to our post. Jack died in the arms of
his comrades. You probably know to whom
I refer - Snow  - Ron  - DL  -
Splinter  - Ted  - & others of his sec'
Nothing can replace him but
such losses only make us more
determined to want defeat these Germans
who know no answer but force.
Yours sincerely
F. Austin MacKell. Lt
 

18
Diocesan Church House
Goerge Street
Sydney.
Dear Mr & Mrs Edmondsn
I am so very sorry
to hear from the Rev. Ronald Walker
of the very great loss ∧which you have
sustained in your only child being
Killed in action.
It must make you proud that he
met his death while serving his
country and that he was killed
while endeavouring to save his
Country
His death will bring a blank
into your lives which never can
be filled
May you both have courage to
carry on and to show the reality
of the Christian faith and hope
Please accept my very sincere
Sympathy
Believe me.
Yours sincerely
Howard - Sydney.
[*(from. The Archbishop of Sydney)*]
19
NX16469.
Pte C.T Armstrong
2/3^{rd BN} late 2/17^BN
Dear Mrs Edmondson
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
I cannot express Mrs Edmondson my
sorrow in words of your dear son Jacks
sad departure. He will never be
forgotten. No doubt you know of his
exploits and his wonderful gallantry
but the memory of his magnificent
deeds will live on
 - A truly lovable gallant and
true Australian soldier
Mr & Mrs Edmondson, I and
soldiers that knew Jack as a mate

cannot help you in your
sorrow. - but we grieve with you.
Yours very sincerely
Clive Armstrong.
 

20
NX36168
Pte Geo Campbell
'C' Coy 2/13^BN
 A.I.F. Abroad
Dear Mrs Edmondson
I cannot try to sympathise
with you - I know how you are feeling &
facing up to everything - having just
lost my own brother here - but Jack
was wonderful. very wonderful. and a
marvellous chap. I know the sorrow
& the heart break you are going through
but I do know that although very sad
you must be a very proud mother.
Being the mother of a boy like Jack
I know you could not do anything
else, but be brave and carry on.
I am in the same place as
Jack was. His B^N 2/17^BN & ours 2/13^BN
were next each other, and I heard
about his glorious action shortly
after it happened. His deeds just went
through all the camps, and it was
talked of every where, The boys
could talk of nothing else. It will
live for ever in our memories
21
This may sound crude & awkwardly
put Mrs Edmondson, but I know you
will understand. how I feel for you
If there is ever anything I could
do for you I hope you will not
hesitate to let me know. and I will
use all in my power to do it.
With best wishes
Yours very sincerely
George Campbell
George Campbell was later reported
badly wounded & missing at Tobruk
no later news.

22
Extract from letter L/CPl A.L. DALZIEL
√X 48627 'D' ^Coy
2/17^BN 2.6.41
. . _— . . _— 
Yes, Mrs Edmondson. I am terribly
terribly lonely now.
You said that at times you think you
loved Jack too much. That was
quite impossible. I loved him too, but
I could not love him enough.
He was everything that I hope I
can be when I am his age.
In fact every one that came in contact
with Jack loved him
23
Extract from Perth W.A. Paper.
Chairman of S. Perth road Board
says :- speaking of his son
at Geo' D. Vincent. D.^Coy 2/17^BN
Lt Vincent says. "I saw Edmondson
terribly wounded rush to the aid
of a young Lieutenant. he Killed
2 Germans who were menacing
the young Lieut & dispersed several
more.
It was sheer magnificent courage
He was brought into our dug-out
It was impossible to remove him as
the stretcher-bearers would have
shot down in a few yards. Edmondson
lay quietly on the stretcher perfectly
conscious, not once did he complain
or ask for anything. Without a doubt
it was a wonderful act of bravery. We
had further samples of Edmondsons bravery
whilst in the dug out on the stretcher. Never
once did he ask for anything. & still had
his wonderful smile for all who spoke
to him
 

24
VX48627. AL.D. 76 21EL
9.7.41.
. . . . . . . . . . _— . . . . . . . . . . 
You asked me a few questions. Mrs 
Edmondson. I will tell you all I may.
Jack died at about 7AM on Monday
morning. After lying all night on a
stretcher at the back of our battle pit.
He lay there all night long without a
single complaint or request.
I spent as much time as I possibly
could with him. & he was continually
^urging me to leave him & go back to where he
thought I may be needed most.
Shortly after he was first placed on the
stretcher. Bill Taylor & I attempted to get
him away to the Dr but it was
unfortunately impossible. As soon as
we got out of the pit we were under
constant fire and observation.
Even though we were out but a few
moments. bullets were whistling
every where. and it is a miracle that
none of us were hit. When we laid
him down again. and told him how
impossible it was. He just smiled  
25
and said "Don't worry about me. I'll be
O.K, till morning".
As dawn came up & it began to get
lighter, I knew, & Jack knew that he
was dying. It was then that he asked
me to keep his writing case & I said
that I would keep it until he got of
hospital. His face broke into that
wonderful grin of his, & he said
"No. Athol, thanks all the same for
trying. I know hospitals are no good
to me now. Tell Mother I am thinking
of her. Give my love to my folk.
Thanks old boy, and Good Luck"
I had to leave him then for I
did not want him to see me with my
eyes full of tears. There were many more
tears than mine.
Johnnie Deering was with him
when he passed away, and he tells
me that at about a quarter to seven
AM Jack went peacefully, as in to a sleep
and died at about 7 oclock.
He was buried on Tuesday
morning in the Tobruk War Cemetery
with full military honours. I was
 

26
unfortunately unable to attend.
I was told by several that were
there that Lt: Col. Crawford. Major
Allen and all the rest of the Battalion
officers were present.
The grave when I saw it last bore
a simple wooden cross on which were
the words.
NX 15705
Cpl. John Hurst Edmondson. V.C.
Killed in action 14-4-41.
I believe it has been since changed
but I have not had the opportunity
to go & visit it again. I shall also
do my utmost to get a photo of the
grave. but will not promise as cameras
are strictly forbidden here.
Please excuse the writing, but it
is due to the same cause that makes me
close now - I cannot write with my
eyes full of tears
love Athol
27
Australian Imperial Forces
Headquarters. A.I.F.

Middle East
27.4.41
My dear Mr. & Mrs. Edmondson.
I write in sincere
sympathy to you for this loss of a truly
magnificent son. - I understand he was
your only son - It is a sad hour for
us all. He cannot be replaced. His
life was beyond reproach. his
courage, something I fear none of
us could aspire to. He has left his
name in history
Believe me
Yours very sincerely
J.A. Blamey.
Lt. General.
General Officer Commanding
Australian Imperial Forces in the
Middle East.
 

28
2/17th ^BN. H.Q. A,I,F,
14^th June 1941
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Edmondson.
Will you please
accept my sincere sympathy on the
loss of your son Corporal John. H.
Edmondson. of this unit.
His death was surrounded
by the utmost gallantry on his part
and I feel that it will be some
solace in your grief if you were
aware of what these were.
His Company was attacked by
enemy in overwhelming numbers, and
he, with his platoon commander &
six five others under cover of darkness
charged with bayonets a party of about
40 enemy whom they completely routed
after sever hand to hand fighting. In
the course of this fighting your son
was mortally wounded.
After sustaining his wounds he
answered a call for help from Lieut
MacKel his platoon commander, who
had broken his bayonet, and had
29
smashed the stock of his rifle.
Not withstanding his severe wounds
your son saved Lieut MacKells life by
shooting or bayonetting three or more
of the enemy who were attacking MacKell
All the patrol, except your son
after routing the enemy returned
safely, bringing with them your son
who died some hours later.
His extreme gallantry was such
that I submitted a certain
recommendation for an award of a
decoration by the G.O.C. Middle
East. My recommendation has
now been returned with a suggestion
were that the circumstances were
such as to warrant a posthumous
award of the Victoria Cross. I have
now submitted such a
recommendation, and have every
hope that it shall be granted
If so, it will be the first award
to a member of the A.I.F.
In the loss of your son
you have my deepest sympathy,
and I can only hope that you will
 

30
gain comfort from the fact that
he died in circumstances such as
set out above, which reflect upon
his unit the greatest credit and
glory. and set an example from
which all of us have benefitted.
 - - - - - - - - - - -
Yours very sincerely
John Crawford
LT. Col.
31
TELEGRAM
urgent Rate.
office of origin Words   Time Logged     Liverpool
Canberra            258/2           1PM                

5PM 4th July 1941

Please treat this telegram as strictly

confidential until officially announced

by Army Headquarters.   Stop

His Majesty the King has

approved a posthumous award of

the Victoria Cross to NX 15705

Corporal John Hurst Edmondson for

conspicuous gallantry in action

under the following circumstances

on the night of 13th - 14th April 1941

A party of German Infantry

broke through the wire defences

at Tobruk and established themselves

with at least six machine

guns, mortars, and two field 

pieces   -  stop  -

It was decided to attack them

with bayonets and a party

consisting of one officer Corporal Edmondson

32

and five privates took part in the

charge.

During the counter attack Corporal

Edmondson was wounded in the neck

and stomach but continued to

advance under heavy fire and

killed one enemy with his bayonet.

Stop    Later his Officer had his 

bayonet in one enemy and was 

grasped around his legs by him, when

another attacked from behind.

He called to Edmondson for help

Corporal Edmondson who was some

yards away immediately came to

his assistance and in spite  of his

wounds killed both the enemy.  Stop

This action undoubtedly saved

his officers life.  - Stop -

Shortly afterwards returning from

this successful counter attack

Corporal Edmondson died of his 

wounds  - Stop -

His actions throughout the

operations were outstanding

for resolution, Leadership 

and conspicuous bravery  - stop -

33

Permit me to offer my sincerest

sympathy on the loss of your

gallant son, and to congratulate 

you on the high distinction

he has achieved.

P.C. Spender

Minister for the Army

2.5.?

34

Supplement (No 35207 of 4th July 1941) to the

London Gazette of 1st July 1941

War Office 4th July 1941.

"The King has been graciously pleased to

approve of the posthumous Award of the

Victoria Cross to the undermentioned: -

No NX15705 Corporal John Hurst Edmondson

Australian Military Forces

On the night of the 13 -14th April 1941

a party of German Infantry broke through

the wire defences at Tobruk and

established themselves with at least

six machine guns, mortars, and two

small field pieces. It was decided to

attack them with bayonets, and a

party consisting of one officer,

Corporal Edmondson and five privates

took part in the charge. During the

counter - attack Corporal Edmondson

was wounded in the neck And stomach

but continued to advance under heavy

fire and killed one enemy with his

bayonet. Later his officer had

his bayonet in one of the enemy

and was grasped about the legs by him

when another attacked him from

behind. He called for help and

Corporal Edmondson who was some

yards away immediately came to

his assistance and in spite of his

wounds killed both of the enemy

This action undoubtedly saved

his officers life.

Shortly after returning from

this successful counter-attack

Corporal Edmondson died of his

wounds.

His actions throughout were

outstanding for resolution,

leadership, and conspicuous 

bravery.