War - Ww2 Vc - New South Wales - John Hurst Edmondon, Vc Poem by Paul Warren

John Hurst Edmondson was born to farming parents on in NSW near Liverpool
Before the WW 2 worked at farming after the Hurlstone Agricultural High School
He was in the 4th Battalion of the Militia and so had some military training
Then as a corporal in the 2nd AIF in the 2/17 Battalion as being efficient at soldiering

He fought the Italians then the Germans in the North African Desert sands
And was at the Siege of Tobruk when Rommel drove them back in his plans
On the night of 13/14 April 1941 the Germans made a post in the perimeter ground
With six machine guns, two field guns and mortars as well as troops holding it down

He advanced with an officer and five other Australians in a charge forward
And made some ground but the Germans countered and attacked backward
Almost immediately Edmondson was shot in the stomach and neck going down
When he saw his officer struggling with two Germans going straight to the ground

Although badly wounded and bleeding he came to the officer's aid after a shout
And he killed both German soldiers continuing the advance as it became a rout
But the wounds were serious and after the battle they brought him back
To die of wounds at the Casualty Clearing Station showing his courage did not lack

He deeds that night meant he was awarded posthumously a Victoria Cross
And is buried a hero in the Tobruk War Cemetery with others who were lost
His sacrifice during that struggle against the Nazis is remembered by us now
In a clock with his name on it in the business district of Liverpool for our know how.

© Paul Warren Poetry