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

36
from Lt MacKell to
his mother —
Lieut. F. A. MacKell
B. Coy 17^Bn
15^th.4.41
Dear Family.
You will notice my new Coy
Today has been a very sorry day to me
as it meant parting from my
platoon. They had been marvellous
and have set an example that every
man here is proud of. and of course
my pride in them is beyond words
The Germans told us that
never have they faced anything so
terrible and these Germans have
been at Dunkirk, Poland, Norway
and France.
No one here is underestimating
"Jerry" and he is ruthless and
must be stopped at all cost for
the sake of all civilisation.
However you may tell any one
that at close range that they
are no better than Italians.
Just gutless wonders Of course
there are millions of Germans
and they have many tanks
37
but we should worry, ish Kabible, as
we have the men with courage (missing ones)
Curly Wilson is my new Coy
Commander, so things are not so
bad.
The other night Jack Edmondson
saved my life but shortly afterwards he
was      Please watch the casualty
list and when you see his name please
visit his mother as he was grand.
His people live somewhere near
Liverpool. You will probably find their
address in the phone book. If you
get in touch with Vic Chivers and
he will probably be able to give it
to you. Travel by taxi as they have
a farm and I don't want you to be
wandering about in the country. Tell
her that we are proud of him
and that he was simply adored
by his men, and that he has
made them more determined than
ever and as long as I live I shall
always have him to thank for that
privilege.
I have received your

38
letters telling me of the great
carnival. and all the very welcome
letters about home and Aussie.
— The fleets in — well
that is great news for us as we
are inclined to be a bit worried
about what's happening over
there at times.
When I get home we will make
whoopie and have great fun
and make up for all this time I
have been away.
My luck is amazing, so
I'll be seeing you — don't worry
Your loving Son and
brother
Austin
I omitted over pages
"- - The Germans ran & we let after them
I let after them with a brick, & we
all returned safely it was then that
we saw Edmondson was wounded"
39
Rossmore. 11 July 1941
Dear M^r & M^rs Edmondson.
After extending to you our very
deepest sympathy, I now extend
congratulations rather sadly. the loss is too
great for else. But a Victoria Cross won
by your son is too wonderful & feelings too deep.
My wife and I were very drawn to your
sons marvellous character. Each Sunday we
would see him at his church, & we always
felt a wonderful admiration for him.
Jack was a good quiet upright boy. with
a wonderful hold on the christianity
his nature spread around him.
Choosing only the good. From his small
years he commanded our respect by his
irreproachable behaviour at all times
and we feel. Jack's departure from our
midst could not have been in a
more fitting way, filled with glory
and the admiration _^^of the world on our Easter Day
as was that Easter day nearly 2,000
years ago.
With our congratulations and our
deepest sympathy.
Yours very sincerely
R.O. Young

40
16 Oct 1943. N.Z. 425007
Sgt. Tionga Waska
NZ Army Bas. P.O.
3 Agar Street
London W.C. 2. Enc
Dear M^r Edmondson
I wrote you on the 9^th Oct
then a few days after that I got a letter
from you sent on from Calgary. Can.
In my last letter I told you about the
wonderful trip to U.S.A. bus trips around
Manhattan, Brooklan etc and all
provided for by the Anzac Club. and
how proud I was to be in the Anzac
march down 5^th Avenue.
M^rs. Edmondson when the folk here
know that I correspond with you, they
never cease talk of your wonderful son
John. The English soldiers say they
have never know such wonderful courage,
& such a really marvellous man who
did what no one else would ever have
the courage to do. The English papers
are still full of it, and say that
Australia has produced a soldier that
could not be equalled. Even the
41
New Zealanders are reflecting in his
glory & how proud I am — a Maori —
then I tell them that on returning to
my country you have asked me to stay
with you & I am hoping to come to
Australia to do that, to me it is
something I am looking forward to
I was very sorry that on my leave
from Calgary I crossed Canada to
spend a few days with M^rs. Aikinson
and Jane, to find only Mr Aikinson
at home, M^rs. Aikinson and Jane were
away for the week
I have flown over Germany and are
now doing the jobs that I took so long
to train for. I can only pray God
may see to soon have wars to cease
but I am proud that I can help
that _^day to come along. I am not very
old and hope soon to come to you
make your acquaintance and then
home again to my own country. A
really happier N Year to come and may
God be near us all. from your
friend at present overseas. love
Kia Ora
Tionga

42
M. Beccia
Internment Camp No 6
Hay.
May 11 1941
To M^r & M^rs Edmondson
Liverpool.
My poor Friends
How sad, how sad, I cannot
find words to state my grief. And after
all how could I compare mine with yours'
One of the best boys of the land.
The pride of his Father, the love of his
mother. The hope of all his friends
Certainly he was an example as a
Citizen, if he had lived,
but he gave a greater and a nobler
example with his this sacrifice
I am thinking of your home tonight
so bright, so cheerful when he was
about. He is no more and his home
is full of sad memories. I do remember
him when on horseback was galloping
to my place. It was a sun's ray
for all of us. to talk to him, it was
a delight. His human sympathy
was so genuine that any one speaking
to him found his own burden
43
relieved In days of sorrow it is a duty
and a privilege for friends to see, to
write, to console friends in sorrow.
But how could I, I do not know how
I can only say; the day I received
the sad news, it was one of the worst
days of my life. I am sure to
interpret the feeling of wife and
daughter by expressing our deepest
sympathy and our unfailing
devotion to you. dear friends.
In sorrow
Yours
Mario Beccia

141 King Street
East Maitland
1^st May 1941
Dear M^rs Edmondson
Words fail me to fully
extend to yourself & M^r Edmondson
my whole hearted sympathy in the
death of your wonderful son, who
made the supreme sacrifice for us all
He was always a wonderful pupil to
me & I was at times amazed. He
came to me when 8½ yrs old — an
only child — I expected may be a bit
spoiled. he was not so, he took his
place in the third class, he, on sports
afternoon, gave a good account of
himself on the tennis court.
In those young days he lived. as
he departed. helping the other lad. He
gave his lunch away each day,
with a sandwich or piece of cake. &
an apple which he had brought for
his horse.
He was with me for 3½ years. Never
once did I need to correct him,
I am now smoking the dear pipe
45
which he made me a present of & it is
very good yet.
I well remember his last day when
he presented it to me. I had wished
him luck. and with his little grin
he thanked me for everything, saying
"if he had at any time been remiss
would I please forget" & pulling a
box out of his pocket "continued &
may you smoke the pipe of peace".
My dear pupil of 12 yrs left me, feeling
I had suffered a great loss, and so
he continued in all spheres of life.
M^r & M^rs Edmondson your loss
has been great. I may say the
loss to the world has been BEEN great.
Leaving you with sorrow & great
sympathy. You are in God's good Care
believe me, yours
Sincerely
W. Rae.

46
Extract from the address of
The M.W. Grand Master.
His Excellency Lord Gowrie V.C.
P.C. GCMG. CB, DSO.
At the communication of the
12 July 1941
Tonight I am proud
to be able to announce that the
first Victoria Cross earned by
an Australian in the present
War, has been awarded to a
member of the Craft namely
Brother John Hurst Edmondson
of the Lodge Liverpool No 197.
The story of how it was he won it
is as follows.
"On the night of the 13^th
April, German Infantry had
broken through our wire defences
at Tobruk and entrenched themselves
with two field pieces, and
eight machine guns. It was
decided to attack them with
bayonets and a party consisting
of one officer, Corporal Edmondson
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and five privates took part in the
charge.
Corporal Edmondson was
wounded in the neck and stomach
but continued to advance and
killed several of the enemy, with
his bayonet. Later the Officer
who had bayonetted a German
was grasped about the legs by
him, and attacked by another
from behind. Corporal Edmondson
however came quickly to his
rescue and in spite of his wounds
killed both the enemy and saved
his officers life, but died shortly
afterwards of his injuries. His actions
throughout the operation were
outstanding for resolution
leadership and conspicuous bravery"
I will ask you Bretheren to stand
for the space of one minute with
heads reverently bowed in
memory of this distinguished
Warrior."

48
From Major Gen L.J. Morshead
H.Q. 9^th Australian
Division
In the field
13 July 1941.
Dear M^r & M^rs Edmondson
It is a
matter of great pride and
gratification to us all, that
your late son has been awarded
the Victoria Cross.
His was truly a great and
gallant deed, and well worthy
of this the greatest of all
decorations.
I deeply regret that your
son is no longer with us, and
I offer you my sincerest sympathy
in your great loss, which I know
will be tempered by the knowledge
that your son died as he fought
with outstanding heroism. He
will always be remembered by us.
Yours very sincerely
L.J. Morshead.
49
NX 12329.
Major J.W. Balfe.
2/17 ^BN A.I.F.
Abroad 6^th July 1941.
Dear M^r & M^rs Edmondson
How pleased and thrilled
we are to hear that Jack has been
awarded the Victoria Cross.
We are glad too, for your sakes
that his outstanding gallantry
and unselfish bravery, has
been recognised by this splendid
honour, and we hope that in
some small measure it may
help you.
Although this is the greatest
honour which it is possible to
receive Jack certainly won it
and won every bit of it — . —
Kindest regards
Yours sincerely
J.W. Balfe.

50
From M^rs J W Balfe
Austinmeer
62 Belmore Road
Sth Hurstville
29.7.41
Extract from Major Balfe
to his wife.
"Good news today Corporal
Edmondson has been awarded the
Victoria Cross.
How glad I am for his parents
sake, think how it will act as
soothing ointment on a wound
how proud they will be'
Still I'd sooner see Jack
with us. All of "D" Coy are
basking in the reflected glory of a
man who was so great that he
willingly sacrificed his life in such
a way that those of us who are
still here just would not have it
in us to do
All can speak well of the
dead, but I have said of him
while he was still alive that he
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is a really decent, good, clean, chap
The first A.I.F. V.C.
If ever there was a medal earned
Jack earned his"

52
NX 19384.
CpL W.E. Taylor
D .Coy 2/17 ^BN
22^nd July 1941
Dear M^rs Edmondson.  . . .  . . . .
You must be proud of the
Victoria Cross, but it certainly will
not in any way make up for the loss
of one so great. He was the greatest
chap I ever knew and the best.
If only he could have lived and
received his medal. He certainly
deserved it all and more. Jack was
the bravest man I ever saw. Gentle,
loveable, and genuine. he can
never be replaced by any one.
He set the standard of life
very high, and we were proud
to call him our friend  . . . .
. . . . .
TELEGRAM
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8^th October 1941.
Canberra 10-40 AM.
Mr & Mrs Edmondson.
Hume Highway
Liverpool.
"You brought a great
Australian into the world
Can this comfort you in your
great sorrow.
We are thinking of you both
today, on your gallant son's
birthday
Governor General and
Zara Gowrie
Liverpool 11 - 30 ^AM

54
NX 13862
Sgt. Jeff. Bate
R.A.C Schools
Middle East
Dear M^r & M^rs Edmondson
I felt I had to write
my sorrow and appreciation of
your gallant son, John. his
deeds were beyond us all.
I am temporarily attached to
a British School, and many of
the 83 British Sergeants at
this mess were in action at
Tobruk last Easter. They often
told me. and still talk about
the fight that week end, when the
fortress was denied to the Germans
and held.
The British speak so often of
young John Edmondson. They
all agree that his was a
wonderful deed far beyond the
ordinary man, and although
they talk about a lot of
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Victoria Cross winners they say
that if ever anyone earned one
he did. You would be very
surprised how often they speak of
John Edmondson
I hope you don't mind me
writing. but I could not help it
Just to tell you that John's name
is on every lip.
His memory here is enshrined
for ever.
Deepest Sympathy and
Congratulations on your
magnificent son.
Yours very sincerely
Jeff Bate