Edward Arthur FORDHAM

FORDHAM, Edward Arthur

Service Number: 297
Enlisted: Not yet discovered
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen
Born: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 22 February 1883
Home Town: New Farm, Brisbane, Queensland
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Not yet discovered
Died: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 2 January 1958, aged 74 years, cause of death not yet discovered
Cemetery: Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park, NSW
Plot: RC29C - Roman Catholic FM 29C, Position 94
Memorials:
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Biography contributed by Claude McKelvey

His older brother Henry George Fordham also served with him in the 5th QIB and had also served prior to that in the 2nd QMI.

When Edward Arthur Fordham enlisted in 1901 in the 5th QIB and his details were published with the rank and file in The Queenslander, 16 Mar 1901, he noted his N.O.K. as his father K. Fordham, Cnr Kent and James Sts, New Farm. In the Boer War Service Paybooks for the 5th QIB, Bk 2 p. 144, it is noted he directed part of his pay to his brother-in-law Mr. A. Stringer, Railway Department.

The entry in The Queenslander appears to contain a typographical error for the initial for his father's given name. Edward Arthur Fordham was born on 22 Feb 1883 at Brisbane, a son to Henry Fordham and Elizabeth Fordham (nee Henry). He married Mary Rose O'Connell on 4 Sep 1908 in Queensland.

In 1940 he and his wife were living in Sydney when he enlisted on 23 May 1940 for WW2, serving with home forces. On his Attestation Form he appears to have lowered his age by some 10 years; stated he was working as a caterer and cook; his N.O.K. was his wife Mary Rose Fordham; and they were living at Paddington in Sydney. 

(source- AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 499; Qld State Archives- Boer War Service Paybooks 5th QIB, Bk 2 p. 144).

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