Diary of Maude Elizabeth Edmondson, 3 September 1939 - 19 October 1940 - Part 5

76
H.E.Slater
20 Birdwood Avenue
Killara
7^th July 1941
My dear Bill
When I read the newspaper
I got a great thrill at the glowing
accounts of Jack's bravery.
When I saw the
announcement of his ‘V.C.’ in
Fridays ^evening paper I felt a glow of
pride which I cannot describe
I do not exaggerate when I say
I lay awake for hours on Friday
night thing of you Bill & your good
wife
I sent a telegram on Friday
evening. It was difficult to find ^suitable
words, and if I offered congratulations
I did so because I have already
expressed my deepest sympathy in
your great loss.
The congratulations are on the
fact that a marvellous deed of
sacrifice has been fittingly
recognised by the award of the
77
highest honour that any Britisher
can possibly earn.
Some honours can be bought 'but'
the 'Victoria Cross’ is the reward of
extreme valour. Therefore Bill
though there can be no real
compensation for the loss of your
only son. there must be a wealth
of comfort in the recognition of
his bravery and the unstinted
praise of his comrades.
I can imagine how high you
are both holding your heads.
As you will notice I am not one
who is gifted with the power of
expressing my feelings in an
adequate way. At times like this
words seem futile but I do hope
that your wife and you will find
comfort in Jack having done his
duty so nobly and so wonderfully
well.
May God bless and comfort you
both.
When Captain Dudley Adams
(son of the chairman of our company)

78
was killed in the last War. his
father received a letter from
the late Sir Edmund Barton
who was a very old friend. I
happened to have a copy of this
letter which I enclose.
Were I gifted with such
powers of expression. I would say
what Sir Edmund said in that
letter which I think is one of the
most beautiful I have read.
At least I can say
"let this be my hand - grip to you
my old and constant friend."
Ein.
Copy of Sir Edmund Barton's
letter
79
Avenel
Darling Point.
1^st April 1918.
My dear Adams.
The lives of all of us are
full of grief and none of us know
that it will not be his turn next
tomorrow to unload his heavy heart
in tears that scald.
It is with the dread of
such a blow that each of us turns
and holds out his hand to his
friend. Let this be my hand grip
to you my old and constant
friend. Some old Greek said
"His years were few, but his
life was as full of great work
as a long life."
That you may well say of your
son. He died in the great
work of saving the world and
its greatest Empire for liberty
and for all that liberty can achieve
"For Freedoms battle once begun
Bequeathed by bleeding sire to son
Though baffled oft, is ever wont.

80
He was not of the cowards that
shrink from their duty, for ease
or short or self
Be proud. even more
greatly than you already are
of his high heart and the
way of his passing.
Not every one is the
Father of a Hero
Ever Yours.
(Sgd) Edmund Barton.
81
4534 Bellevue Drive
Vancouver.
British Columbia
July 1941
Dear Mrs Edmondson.
I have heard over the B.B.C.
news from London of the Award
of the Victoria Cross being conferred
upon the gallant memory of your
wonderful son Corporal John
Edmondson
I wish to join your many
friends and the thousands
every where in the Empire who
honor your son.
The willingness and the
ability together with self sacrifice
to contribute such service
(such a page in history) shines out
as a beautiful light. This light
will be seen from all over the
Empire and people every where will
feel proud and encouraged and
inspired to press on and do more
towards the day of victory.
Florence Atkinson

82
84 Prospect Road
Summer Hill
7 July 1941
My dear Will & Mrs Edmondson.
I feel I must write again
and express my deepest sympathy and
congratulations
I know how proud you both
should be and how proud we all
are of Jack, and that you would not
have had him otherwise than what
he did, but this does not supply
compensation for our loss Bill
neither is there compensation. However
I feel sure there is some comfort in
knowing that Jack was just what
you made him and hoped he always
would be throughout his life.
Perhaps also there is some
comfort in knowing that such
men as Jack do not pass out of
our midst but live on vividly in
the lives of all those who are
capable of absorbing and
appreciating such a spirit.
His action has been an
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inspiration to all good Australians
and has awakened the admiration
of everyone and I hope this will
bring you some measure of
comfort in your great loss.
And now my dear old friends
once more I tender you my sincerest
sympathy with the fervent hope
that your health will allow
you to maintain that
reflection of your son. Just as
you in your turn were
reflected in him.
Jacks years were few but
his deeds were many and of very
great magnitude.
Yours very Sincerely,
Don Gibson.

57 Summer Street
Orange
7^th July 1941
Dear Mr & Mrs Edmondson.
We here are so glad to
know that Jacks bravery has been
recognised as it deserved to be and
that his name is now a household
word not only through out
Australia but throughout the ^whole world
We are proud to think that the very
highest award has been regarded
recognised as a fitting tribute to
his heroism.
We were very much saddened by
the news of his death and after
reading the account of the adventure
in which he gave his life. We felt
that such conduct could not go
unrewarded. and it was therefore a
surprise when we heard with a thrill
of gratification that he had been
awarded the Victoria Cross
We know that nothing can
compensate you for his great loss
but we feel that it will help you
85
both to know that British people the
world over are extremely proud of him
I cannot help adding that I know
that his fine character and
personality add lustre to his great
distinction in the Army.
You will quite realise that when
our first "V.C" in this war is
mentioned it gives me great pride
and satisfaction to be able to say
"that you and we are friends of long
standing"
As a boy he commanded our
respect that one does not find in
a boy of his tender years his
thoughtfulness, generosity and
dignity, and straight forward
honesty, together with his watchful
attention to his mother was at all
times and continued on through
his youth to young manhood
outstanding
Having known Jack so well and
having read of his valour and of the
very high regard in which he was
held by the men who knew him well

86
I cannot help feeling that his life
story could not have closed fittingly
in any other way than the way in
which it has closed in glorious
sacrifice if it had to close in war.
He earned the highest distinction
that could be conferred upon him
and it is gratifying to know that
he has been distinguished in the
highest way possible.
We will always remember Jack
with pride and affection, not only
because of what he has done, but
because of what he was.
Honour is rarely won except
by those who are worthy of it
and I feel sure and know that
Jacks whole life was a fitting
prelude to the very height he has
attained and so truly won
Yours very Sincerely
John Williams.
87
12271 L.A.C. Green WO
451 Squadron RAAF
c/- RAF H.Q.
Middle East
My dear Mrs Edmondson,
Since writing
last I have paid a visit to Jacks grave
and can assure you that it is in good
condition and is being tended by a
detailed attendant
You know Dear there were
dozens of chaps who did not even
know Jack, trying to find his
place of rest. so that they could pay
homage to a great and wonderful
soldier.
He did more Dear than win the
"Victoria Cross" his very deeds and
his life has been an inspiration
to his mates and strangers alike

88
Metropolitan District
Rifle Club Union
Box 2469 MM G.P.O.
Sydney 16.7.41
Dear Mr & Mrs Edmondson.
On behalf of the
Metropolitan District Rifle Club
Union I wish to convey to you
the sympathy of the Metropolitan
Riflemen and the Union Council
in the death of your son
We are indeed very proud
to have had the privilege of
knowing Jack and also proud
of the high honour conferred
upon him
At our annual
General Meeting held on 14^th July
the President referred to your son
as one of the bravest and best
A minutes silence was
observed by the meeting in
honour of his memory, and
special minutes recorded of his
wonderful achievements
Our activity in
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Rifle Shooting has been curtailed
but it is intended when Rifle
Shooting is resumed that a
suitable memorial will be
erected to his memory on the
Anzac Rifle Range.
Again expressing
our pride and sorrow to you
both both in your severe
loss to Riflemen and the
community and remembering
that Jack was a lad?. (I
think his first year shoot)
carried off the National Rifle
Association Medal
Yours sincerely.
L. Dusting
Hon Sec.

Det Supr. Flint
90
Police Department
Parramatta
9.7.41.
Dear Mr & Mrs Edmondson.
A letter in
an expression of deepest appreciation
of the valour of your late son.
- Jack - which won for him the
highest award for bravery, known
to the nation "The Victoria
Cross" whilst I sympathise
with you to the utmost in the
passing of your son.
Knowing him as I did, I
feel that the account of his
last effort in life to save the
lives of his comrades was
truly characteristic of his
life. 'The life of this
courageous honest kindly
citizen' and I feel that were
it possible to be so. his return
safe and sound to these shores
would have excelled all the
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crowning and glorious triumphs
of the closing days of his
life as a soldier, but as
such is not to be I extend
to you most profound sympathy
in the irreparable loss you
have sustained.
I also extend deepest
appreciation of your gallant
soldier son's accomplishments
on the field of battle
Yours Sincerely
J. J. Flint

92 

April 23^rd 1941
Extract from letter sent to me by Mrs
MacKell & received by her from her son.
Lt. F.A.MacKell.
"I took six of my men at the double
and told them to make a hell of a noise
My other men at the post gave covering
fire. Not one German would fight
most of them grovelled on the ground
and my men tore into them. the
Germans called and told "Please it is peace.
sil-vous plait. while others
cried.
The Germans are useless at
close range and our chaps knew
it. I ended up laying into
them with a big brick as they
ran.
My men were marvellous. We
all got back to the post unharmed
93
Colonel A.J.Bennett
11 Ada Street
Randwick.
To
Mr & Mrs J W Edmondson.
My dear Friends
My brother Fred and
I have been thrilled and proud to read
of the heroism of your gallant son
while feeling very sad that he should
not to come back to you with his
honours and great sacrifice
His death was noble and the great
nation whilst sympathising are most
grateful to him for his great sacrifice
that we may remain free.
I well remember when we lived
near Wagga. Edmondson on the
Coolamon Rd and my Fathers old friend
that grand old man John Hurst at
Brucedale. I have done what
I could and after 56 yrs army service and
now at the age of 76 doing useful work
"All my honours pale before the " Victoria
Cross" still I am pleased to have had them
bestowed on my by His Majesty
Yours very sincerely
Alfred Bennett.

94
Colonel
K. W. MacKenzie
61 Sinclair Street
Woolstonecraft
Crows Nest
10 July 1941
Dear Mr & Mrs Edmondson
May I be
permitted as a member of the old
17^{th Bn} A.I.F. to offer on behalf of
my wife and myself our deep
sympathy to you both, who have
lost your dear son Corporal,
J. H. Edmondson, V.C. as the result
of wounds received in action.
At the same time, we who also
have a son serving in the 2/17 ^BN
would like to offer our earnest
tribute to the memory of one
whose sacrifice differed only in a
degree - (and I speak with deep
reverence - ) to another sacrifice
two thousand years ago.
We hope and believe that
the brave manner of his passing
95
will remain an inspiration to his
fellow countrymen to live bravely
and shape up squarely to their
responsibilities, also that
Providence will continue to
endow you with that richest of
all blessings he has conferred
on mankind — Remembrance
Yours very Sincerely.
K. W. MacKenzie