Contributed by Ron Inglis, October 2021
Sydney-born fitter Edward Maguire, whose mother lived in Sutherland Street, Auburn, enlisted on 5 September 1916 at the Royal Agricultural Society Showgrounds at Moore Park. He declared his age to be ’19 years’. Unusually, Maguire was away to the war on the Ascanius just 14 days later. This may have been due to Maguire’s declared previous military service in the ’40th Battalion’ militia.
Maguire arrived in Britain just after Christmas 1916 and proceeded to France on 19 February 1917. Serving in a Light Trench Mortar Battery, Maguire survived on the Western Front for 14 months, less 15 days recreation leave in Britain. He had a clear record of no wounds, crimes, or sicknesses.
On 9 April 1918, Maguire received a gunshot wound to the head and he died of wounds two days later in a casualty clearing station. He was buried in the Namps-Au-Val British Cemetery, south-west of Amiens. His mother requested the following inscription for his grave. It was deemed too long for the space available, so only the first half was used:
THERE’S A LONELY GRAVE IN FRANCE WHERE A BRAVE YOUNG SOLDIER SLEEPS
THERE IS A HOME OUT IN AUSTRALIA WHERE A DEAR MOTHER SITS AND KEEPS
Maguire's mother wrote the following to the Base Records office in 1918: "Many thanks for your sincere kindness for the photos of my dearly loved son’s grave … My other son returned with his left leg amputated with the left arm partly blow away and my husband was suffering from the effects of gas. So you see I have had my share of trouble." Her other son was 1920 Francis James Maguire.
Edward Maguire is honoured on the following memorials in Australia:
- Auburn War Memorial
- Municipality of Auburn 1914-1919 Honour Roll
- Auburn North Public School Great War Roll of Honor
- Roll of Honour Australian War Memorial Canberra
His decorations:
- British War Medal 1914-20
- Victory Medal
