1571 Private Edgar James Wilson - Bairnsdale Killed in Action 4 October 1915

….. whatever happens, I will never regret going

Edgar was born in Rochester, England and emigrated to Australia with his parents, James and Caroline Wilson. They arrived when he was 14 years old and made Bairnsdale their home in 1910. The Wilsons were living at Picnic Point and Edgar worked alternately as an orchardist and in dairy pursuits with his father on W. Counihan’s property at Wy Yung. On 24 March 1915, when he was 19 years old, Edgar enlisted with the 24 th  Battalion and after training, set sail for Egypt in the Ceramic on 25 June 1915. On 19 August he was at Gallipoli and was killed in action near Brown’s Dip on 4 October 1915. The local Bairnsdale minister, Rev. Young, received the telegram from the Defence Department and had the task of informing James and Caroline their son had been killed in action. He was eventually buried at Lone Pine cemetery in Gallipoli and is remembered on the Bairnsdale Shire honour roll. One of the last remarks to his mother before leaving was well, whatever happens, I will never regret going. We have been unable to locate a photograph of Private Edgar Wilson, if you know of one, please make contact. Our group would appreciate your assistance.