This sunny April Sunday we gather to commemorate the men and women who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations, especially those connected to Beaconsfield.
Today we reflect on the life of Lieutenant Edgar John Marsden.
Edgar John Marsden was born in Fitzroy on 6 August 1880.
He lived his formative years in Hawthorn and Brighton, attending Rolyat School, Brighton Grammar and Haileybury College.
Edgar was a talented and accomplished student, including an awarded prize for Latin, the Cricket Captain of 1896/1897, and he was an excellent tenor singer.
Upon completing school, Edgar joined the Australian Army in 1897. He was stationed at Queenscliff serving with the Australian Military Forces and promoted to Lieutenant in 1900. After his extensive high achievements within the Army, in 1907 Edgar transferred to Reserve of Officers on his request.
Leaving Australia to take up residence in England, Edgar was pursuing his career in singing. He filled roles as principal tenor at the famous Savoy Theatre, London and appeared at the Grand Opera, Covent Garden. In 1913 Edgar returned to Australia to be with his ill father who later died in December. Edgar was booked to appear in New York but cancelled his contract to volunteer for active service with the commencement of WW1.
Edgar enlisted with the Australian Imperial Forces on 3 September 1915 and embarked for overseas service on 27 September 1915, serving initially in Egypt and then France. Edgar suffered numerous illnesses and injuries including mumps and influenza. In 1917 Edgar was severely gassed at Anzac Ridge just outside of Passchendaele. He was transferred to England and spent many weeks in hospital.
Edgar’s service appointment was terminated 8 July 1918.
On 7 June 1917 while in England, Edgar married nurse Muriel Alice Aldridge. Edgar with his family returned to Australia in 1920. He struggled with ill health, preventing him from further military service or the possibility of returning to his singing career.
Struggling to provide for his growing family, Edgar was advised by his doctor that country living would be beneficial given his ailments. Edgar applied and received soldier settlement land in Beaconsfield and took up farming life, predominately dairy farming.
The 100 acres had Cardinia Creek frontage and was described in 1927 as a property with “10 paddocks, crop millet, oats and potatoes; small orchard, pine plantation. Weatherboard bungalow of six large rooms; extensive verandas, gas, water laid on, telephone and 21/4 miles to the Railway Station”.
Edgar enjoyed country life and community activities, returning to playing cricket with local teams and hunting.
Clearly with regret Edgar could not continue farming, he wrote in 1933,
“We had a beautiful little farm but it was too small and the prospects of the dairy farmer became very bad”.
Edgar and his family then lived in Brighton, he had mixed success with different occupations, his health constantly impairing his capabilities. In the 1940’s he enjoyed being a radio announcer on the station 3DB.
In 1946 he was injured in an accident when he was hit by a tram in Flinders Street, he was admitted to hospital with a broken arm.
With declining health Edgar died on 9 September 1955 at the Repatriation General Hospital, Heidelberg.
Edgar is one of the 65 soldiers included on the Beaconsfield Avenue of Honour list. What Edgar found after the war living in Beaconsfield, was Peace.
Lest We Forget.
Written by Penny Harris Jennings, 2024.
Read by Cr. Brett Owen.
