AVERY, Edward Forman
| Service Numbers: | 1705, R1705 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 5th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Port Albert, Victoria, Australia, 14 February 1880 |
| Home Town: | Port Albert, Wellington, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Fisherman |
| Died: | Caulfield, Victoria, Australia, 22 November 1956, aged 76 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Port Franklin Fishermen's Association Honor Roll |
Biography contributed by Lesley Avery
Gippsland Standard and Alberton Shire Representative (Vic.: 1914-1918) Wednesday 15 September 1915 Page 3 -
"Soldier's Letter.
The following is an extract from a letter written by Private E. F. Avery from Luna Park Hospital, Egypt, to his brother, Mr. H. Avery, Port Albert:— This is to let you know that I'm still alive and kicking, although at present sick in hospital, but getting well, and will be in service again shortly. We did not stay long in Egypt—only five days. Then went straight on to Gallipoli. We had about fifty men downed the day we landed. We went over in destroyers from Lemnos, about 40 miles, and arrived at Gallipoli at 3 p.m. on the 26th May. Just got our anchors down, and getting into the small boats, when the Turks put some shells right into us. There were about fifty casualties. Fourteen died, and some have had their arms and fingers taken off since. Men fell all round me; one killed stone dead alongside me, but I never got a scratch. A man has some very close shaves. I was in the trenches for nine weeks, until sickness got me down. There are hundreds of men here sick and run down, not getting proper rest in the trenches. I never had my clothes off for nine weeks."