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Edward James Sedgwick - Information

The Sedgwicks were a prominent Campbelltown family, whom resided on a property called Smeaton. Edward's father, known as Ted, was a Town Alderman and also became Mayor of Campbelltown. Edward was born on the 18th of November 1896 in Camden, and grew up in the area with his siblings. He continued his studies while working as a general labourer. When Edward was just 19 years old, he got his parents' permission to enlist in the AIF. He signed up to the Light Horse on the 5th of January 1916 in Liverpool. During training, Edward was assigned to the 6th Light Horse Regiment as a Trooper. He was then shipped overseas for war service, departing Sydney on the 26th of April 1916 onboard the HMAT Port Macquarie.

Edward arrived in Egypt, where he was taken on strength to the 2nd Light Horse Regiment in June 1916 at Tel-el-Kebir Camp. In August, he was back with the 6th Regiment. Edward and his mates patrolled the Sinai Desert and Palestine for Turkish forces throughout 1916 and 1917. The 6th Regiment participated in the Battle of Romani on the 4th of August 1916 and the various assaults on Gaza in 1917. In September 1917, he attended a School of Instruction for two weeks returning to his unit at Zeitoun. In March 1918, as operations moved into the Jordan Valley, he was promoted to Lance Corporal, then Temporary Corporal in September and Temporary Sergeant in early November. After the war ended, he was made Sergeant on the 8th of February 1919. In August of that year, Edward was sent home from Kantara upon the Madras.

Edward returned to his family in Campbelltown where he began working as a dairy farmer. He surprisingly enlisted again during the Second World War, joining the army along with his younger brother, Fitzpatrick. Edward passed away on the 30th of November 1974 in Campbelltown and was buried at St Johns.