Driver 2067 10th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery. Resident Pyeconer.

Edward Poole was born at Middle Crochran Farm, Llanbadarn Fynydd, Radnorshire in 1888. He was the fourth child born to Edward and Martha [nee Hughes] Poole. By the time the 1911 Census was taken the family had moved to Pye Corner, Llangunllo near Knighton, Radnorshire. Edward, aged 23 is described as ‘farmer’s son, shepherd on farm’. His older brother John, aged 24 is a ‘waggoner on farm’. his sister Mary Ann, aged 25 is a ‘farmer’s daughter’ doing ‘dairy work’ and another brother Thomas Richard, aged 18 is a ‘cowman on farm’.

In 1912 aged 24 Edward emigrated to Western Australia. At this time many young men and women from the UK were seeking new opportunities in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada and the U.S.A. when war with Germany broke out in 1914 many of them either made their way home to enlist or volunteered to join the forces in their new countries. When Edward enlisted on 11th October 1915 at Blackboy Hill Military Camp near Perth, Western Australia he was described as being a single man, his next of kin was his father Edward Poole of Llangunello, Radnorshire, England. Edward had a fair complexion, brown hair and blue eyes. He was 5ft 5ins tall and weighed 140lbs. He was employed at Gnowungerup near Katanning, Western Australia, as a Teamster [in charge of a team of horses and a wagon]. His religion was C of E. After a medical examination he was passed fit to serve.

After training as a Gunner with the 10th Field Artillery, Private No. 2067 Edward Poole embarked on 16th February 1916 at Freemantle for the journey to Egypt aboard H.M.A.T. Warilda. The Australians underwent further training and Edward’s brigade spent time at Helioplis, Serapeum, Ismailia and Alexandria where Edward caught influenza. In June 1916 the brigade travelled from Alexandria to Marseille aboard H.M.S. Oriana. From Marseille Edward and his brigade moved to England and the Salisbury Plains where the Australians had set up training camps at perham Downs, Larkhill and Parkhouse. During the remainder of 1916 poor Edward suffered with Rheumatism, Rheumatic Fever and Haemorrhoids. He was admitted to the County of Middlesex Hospital on 8th November 1916 where he was treated successfully. Edward managed to visit his parents in Llangunllo during a period of leave before he returned to Salisbury Plains to complete his gunnery training. Sadly, his ill health continued, this time it was Mumps that incapacitated him in April 1917! However, on 19th June 1917 he returned to France. In early September 1917 he was admitted to a Field Hospital as a result of a ‘laceration of the left hand’. Edward rejoined his brigade in Belgium as a ‘Driver’ on 15th September 1917.

The Brecon & Radnor Express of 22nd November 1917 under the heading ‘LLANGUNLLO LAD FALLS IN ACTION’ has a photo’ of ‘The Late Driver E. Poole’ in his Australian uniform. The report reads: ‘We regret to record the death of Driver Edward Poole of the Australians. Son of Mr and Mrs Poole, Pye Corner, Llangunllo, Rads. Deceased who was 29 years of age was killed in action in France on October 8th. Four years ago he went to Australia and he joined the army in 1915. He served in Egypt for 12 months and was then transferred to France. He was home for a short leave in 1916 and returned to France last Christmas‘.

Driver Edward Poole No.2067, 10th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery who died on 8th October 1917 is buried at Grave 24, Row F, Plot 3, Ypres Town Cemetery Extension. His kit consisting of a holdall with three notebooks, three balaclavas, a scarf and a handkerchief was returned to Llangunllo and in 1922 his father received Edward’s British War Medal, the Victory Medal and the 1914-18 Star, together with a Memorial plaque and scroll. Edward’s death is recorded on Llangunllo War Memorial.

[Researched by George Lancett, 21 Caenbrook Meadow, Presteigne, LD8 2NE. 5th Feb 2017. Sources: Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Australian Archives, British Censuses and Births, Marriages and Deaths Records and Brecon & Radnor Express.]