GILHOME, Edgar Hilton

Edgar, who was born in 1895, was the eldest child of Walter and Lena Gilhome of Gum Flat near Inverell. He was a twenty year old Labourer when he enlisted in January 1916 and his father signed his Attestation form giving permission for his son to serve overseas.  Edgar joined the men of the Second Contingent of The Kurrajongs who left Inverell together on 29 February 1916. Prior to his departure, Edgar was one of several volunteers farewelled at Gum Flat and presented with an inscribed wrist watch.

He became a member of the 33rd Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement which trained at Armidale and Rutherford prior to leaving Australia on HMAT A15 Port Sydney in September 1916.  After arriving in England further training was undertaken at Salisbury Plain. Edgar went to France in November, crossing the English Channel from Folkestone on the ship Princess Victoria. 

Edgar’s war was very short.  He was severely wounded at the end of January 1917 at Armentieres and invalided back to England where he was admitted to hospital with a gunshot wound to his left arm.  This injury severely affected his upper arm and shoulder joint and the decision was made to return him to Australia.  He arrived home by the ship Themistocles in January 1918, was discharged four months later and granted a pension of one pound ten shillings ($3) per fortnight.

Edgar returned to Inverell where he married Jessie Mason in 1921. They made their home on their farm Bareen at Gum Flat.  Edgar died in 1963 and was buried in the Gum Flat Cemetery.

Private Edgar Gilhome has his name recorded on the Gum Flat Honor Roll.