Wakefield, PTE Edward Leonard

Edward Leonard Wakefield (1897-?), packer, sailor and soldier, was born in Perth, son of Edwin Wakefield. He grew up in Leederville and attended West Leederville State School. Edward joined the Royal Australian Navy Reserves in 1911 at the age of just 14 and served for a period of 5 years. He attempted to deploy for overseas service in 1915 but was rejected as medically unfit and began employment as a packer. He tried again in 1916 and was successful. He was still living with his family at 1 Glen Street, West Leederville.

Edward enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force on the 16th of October 1916 at the age of just 19 and was posted to the 6th Reinforcements, 44th Battalion. He embarked for overseas service in December 1916 and arrived at the front lines in August 1917. Edward took part in the brutal fighting at Passchendaele during the October 1917 and also witnessed the opening days of the German Spring Offensive in March 1918. It was during that offensive that he was medically withdrawn due to pleurisy, a severe illness of the lung.

It was decided that he was no longer fit for service and after 3 months in hospital, Edward was medically discharged to Austraia in June 1919 which is where our knowledge of his story ends.

Edward had fought in 8 battles and spent 198 days in the trenches. He was awarded the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Silver War Badge, Active Service Badge, 1 Good Conduct Stripe and 1 Long Service Stripe.

8 Battles and 198 days.

West Leederville State School

Regimental Number:
2902

Subunit:
6th Reinforcements, 44th Battalion

Enlistment Date:
16th October 1916

Age at Enlistment:
19 Years, 7 Months

Birthplace:
Perth, WA

Ethnicity:
British Australian

Religion:
Wesleyan

Residence:
West Leederville, Metropolitan Region, WA (1 Glen Street)

Height and Measurements:
5"10

Occupation at Enlistment:
Packer

Married:
No

Next of Kin:
Father - Edwin Henry Wakefield

Previous Service:
5 years in the naval reserves (still serving at time of enlistment). Tried to enlist for overseas service in 1915 but rejected as unfit for service.

Total Service:
16th October 1916 - 14th June 1918

Overseas Service:
29th December 1916 - 14th June 1918

Front Line Service:
26th August 1917 - 2nd March 1918, 20th March 1918 - 30th March 1918,

Battle Honours:
8: Ypres 1917, Passchendaele, Polygon Wood, Broodseinde, Poelcappelle, Somme 1918, Ancre 1918, France and Flanders 1916-1918

Casualty:

Yes – Sick twice and medically discharged (March 1917, 2 weeks in hospital due to influenza and general debility) (March 1918, 10 weeks in hospital with pleurisy, medically discharged to Australia in June 1918)

Awards:
British War Medal, Victory Medal, Silver War Badge, Active Service Badge, 1 Good Conduct Stripe, 1 Long Service Stripe