John Hurst Edmondson

Infobox Military Person
name=John Hurst Edmondson


caption= Jack Edmondson
born= 8 October, 1914
died= 14 April, 1941
placeofbirth= Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
placeofdeath= Tobruk, Libya
nickname= Jack
allegiance= flagicon|Australia Australia
branch= Australian Army
serviceyears= 1940 - 1941
rank= Corporal
unit= 2/17 Australian Infantry Battalion
battles= World War II
*North African Campaign
*Siege of Tobruk
awards= Victoria Cross

John Hurst Edmondson VC (8 October, 1914–14 April, 1941) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Early life

John Hurst Edmondson was born at Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. His parents moved to the Sydney suburb of Liverpool where he attended Hurlstone Agricultural High School and later became a farm worker.

World War II

On 20 May 1940 he enlisted in the 2/17th Battalion [cite web|url=http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/script/veteran.asp?ServiceID=A&VeteranID=134606|title=World War II Nominal Roll - Edmondson, John Hurst|accessdaymonth=2 August|accessyear=2008] after serving with the 4th Militia Battalion. He was promoted to corporal. After training at Ingleburn and Bathurst, his battalion embarked for the Middle East on 19 October 1940 as reinforcements for the 9th Division. After desert training, his division relieved the 6th Australian Division at Marsa Brega in Cyrenaica on 9 March 1941. On 31 March, the German forces under the command of General Erwin Rommel mounted an attack on the Australian and British positions, forcing them to retreat. The 9th Division took up new positions outside the port of Tobruk and on 11 April, the now famous siege began.

The passage in the London Gazette of 1 July, 1941, gave the following details of Edmondson's deeds: [LondonGazette|issue=35207|date=1 July 1941|startpage=3807|endpage=3808|supp=yes|accessdaymonth= 2 August|accessyear=2008 ]

"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 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 officer's life."

"Shortly after returning from this successful counter-attack, Corporal Edmondson died of his wounds. His actions throughout the operations were outstanding for resolution, leadership and conspicuous bravery."

An hour later, 200 German infantrymen attacked the post, forcing the Australians to withdraw, and established a bridgehead in the outer defensive line. However, the fierceness of the platoon's defence pressured Rommel into diverting troops from his main attack. The attack failed, with the German tanks being mauled and forced to retreat with heavy casualties.

Corporal John Edmondson died of his wounds and is buried in the Tobruk war cemetery. [cite web|url=http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2225183|title=Commonwealth War Graves Commission - Edmondson, John Hurst|accessdaymonth=2 August|accessyear=2008] He was the first Australian to receive the Victoria Cross in the war. Edmondson's VC was presented to his mother by the Governor-General on 27 September 1941. In 1969, she presented her son's medals and some of his personal belongings to the Australian War Memorial, where they still are on display. [cite web|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/virtualtour/valour.asp|title=Hall of Valour - Victoria Crosses at the Memorial|accessdaymonth=2 August|accessyear=2008]

Legacy

His name is still honoured by the John Edmondson VC Rest Area at Roses Lagoon on the Remembrance Driveway from Sydney to Canberra, John Edmondson VC Memorial RSL Club, Liverpool and, with a plaque in the Walk of Honour in Bayliss Street, in his birthplace of Wagga Wagga and in his former school, Hurlstone Agricultural High School, where the school hall is named after him. There is also a high school named after him in the Horningsea Park district. Edmondson Street in North Ryde is also named in his honour. The Lodge Victoria Cross No. 973 (UGLNSWACT) was formed in honour of Cpl J H Edmonson, who was posted to Holsworty Army Barracks, and a attending member of Lodge Liverpool.

References

Lodge Victoria Cross number 928

External links

* [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/theartofwar/valgal/valour/INF3_0425.htm Corporal J.H. Edmondson] in "The Art of War" exhibition at the UK National Archives
* [http://www.australiansatwar.gov.au/stories/stories.asp?war=W2&id=8 A Mother Grieves for Death of VC Winner] "(letter from his mother, plus background details)"
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