NATHAN, Edley William

Edley William Nathan enlisted on 3 February, 1916. He was the younger son of  Simeon and Emma (nee Aplin) Nathan, and he one brother, Harold, and three sisters, Eliza, Lilian and Stella. His father appears to be the owner of Paterson's Pty Ltd. Complete Home Furnishers of 152-154 Bourke St., Melbourne, a store which burnt down in 1929. Edley Nathan was a salesman, living in Clrendon St, East Melbourne, and most probably worked for his father.

He was sent for training to Bendigo on 6 June, 1916, and attached to D Company, 38th Battalion. They embarked from Melbourne on HMAT Runic A54 on 20 June, docking at Plymouth, England, on 10 August. From here, they were sent to Lark Hill for further training. and on 24 September, Edley Nathan was admitted to hospitla, suffering from measles. he was discharged from the 10 Field Ambulance at Lark Hill on 14 October and on 22 November, the battalion was sent overseas to France. They moved into the front line trenches on 1 December, 1916,in bitter winter weather and spent the next months raiding enemy trenches. Again, Edley Nathan became ill. On his service record it gives his illness as 'teacheitis', but it is more probably tracheitis, an upper respiratory illness, characterised by high temperatures, a hacking cough aand a 'crowing sound on inhaling'. He was first sent to the No. 2 Australian Casualty Clearing Station on 9 December, then moved on 18 December to the 7th General Hospital before moving again on 23 December to the Canadian Casualty Clearing Station. 

Edley Nathan rejoined his battalion on 12 January, 1917. On 26 January, he was made temporary Coropral, then Lance Corporal on 23 February. he was killed in action at Armentieres on 22 April, 1917.

A number of soldiers gave evidence in writing of his fate to the Board of Enquiry. Sergeant Rook, 1293, 38th Battalion, 13/8/1917: I was in the same Coy. and I helped to pick up his remains at Houpline. He was buried at Bon Jean Cemetery at Erquingham, a suburb of Armentieres. he was a Corporal in the same platoon and we were great pals. There was no physical property found on his remains. He was very popular with all.

Private T.A. Green 1845, 38th Battalion 17/8/1917: We were holding the line at Armentieres in April. Nathan was in an isolated position on Q7 Gap Houp lines. A 'Hinren (?) Werfer'  landed practically on top of him. He was buried in the Rue Sadi Carnot Cemetery by Chaplain Best. I was fond of Nathan and asked the Chaplain about him. Nathan belonged to D Coy., XV PLatoon. He came from St. Kilda.

Private J.A. Lees 2592, 23/8/ 1917 : ... he was blown to pieces at Houp Lines on April 20, 1917. The remains were gathered up and buried . Stretcher Bearer S. Gode of 36th battalion went out and collected the remains.

He was also remembered at home in three notices from The Argus. The first was from his father on Monday, 7 May, on p.1: Nathan: Killed in action on 20th April, Corp. Edley William, younger son of Simeon and Emma Nathan, brother of Mrs. E. Burbrick, Mrs. D.S. Bain, Harold and Stella. (Inserted by Simeon Nathan, Oriental Hotel, Collins St., Melbourne)

The second was on Saturday, 12 May, 1917, p. 13: On 20th April, 1917, killed in action in France, Corporal Edley W. Nathan. One of the best. For King and country - (inserted by the employees, of Paterson's Pty. Ltd., 173 Smith St., Fitzroy.) 

The third notice granted probate of Edley Nathan's estate to Simeon Nathan and was placed on Saturday, 29 September, 1917.

Edley Nathan was buried at Cite Bon Jean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, Lille, Pas de Nord Calais, France. He is remembered in the Roll of Honour Cards 145 and on Panel 130 in the Commemorative Area of the Australian War Museum.He was twenty three years old.