Edward Albert Tracey ws the fifth son of the eleven children of Patrick Edward and Charlotte Tracey. He was born in 1894 in East Melbourne.
Sergeant-Major Patrick Tracey was a member of the permanent staff of the Victorian Rifle Associatoin. In his early days he had been a keen participant in the various shooting competitions held by the Association, but later he bacame an instructor assisting in the training of cadets. In early 1914 he had been sent 'home' to England for training purposes and when war was declared he volunteered and was attached to the 6th Battalion, Connaught Rangers. He fought in the battles of the Marne and the Aisne as was in France for four months before returning Austalia in May 1915 to resume training of new recruits. His unit in Australia was B Company, 2nd Battalion, 1 Brigade. Three of his sons, including Edward (Eddy), followed in his footsteps and enlisted. the other two were John Henry (Jack) and George.
The exact address in East Melbourne where Edward was born is unconfirmed. In 1891 a Mrs. Tracey signed the Women's Suffrage Petition giving her address as 194 George Street. However the house at 194 was not built until 1908 and the Council Rate Books do not list the address. The Rate Books do list a Miss Tracey at 94 George Street. At the same time Patrick's address is given in the Sands & McDougall Post Office Directories as the Orderly Rooms on the corner of Victoria Parade and Powlett Street.
When he enlisted on 4 November 1914 Edward gave his occupation as 'labourer'. As his mother had died and his father was in France on active service he nominated his sister, Margaret, as his next of kin. It was she who signed her consent to him enlisting as he was still under the age of 21. He was 5ft. 5.25ins., his complexion was fair, his eyes were blue and hair brown. He was appointed to the 1st Field Artillery Brigade Reinforcements at Broadmeadows as a Gunner.
He embarked on 22 December 1914. He was promoted to Driver with the 1st Divisional Ammunition Column from 20 April 1915 and joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces ( Gallipoli) ten days later. On 7 October 1915, in Alexandria, he was awarded 28 days forfeited pay for 'irregularity on horse Picquet'. On 26 March 1916 he proceeded to join the British Expeditionary Forces in France. In November he was in hsopital sick with influenza, and again in January 1917. On 24 December he was recomended for a Mention:
'Whilst out on detail with A/Bdr. Parker, W. at OOFTTABERNE on the night of 22.12.17 Drivers Tracey and Lowe showed marked coolness and devotion to duty.
'While proceeding to a forward position the rattle of the waggon drew heavy machine-gun and shell fire from the enemy, and to avoid casualties we were forced to unhook and abandon the waggon. We afterwards returned and bagged the wheels to deaden the sound, and delivered the load at the appointed position, still under fire.
'The coolness of both Drivers, and their willingness to completed their work was most commendable throughout as witnessed by A/Bdr. Parker.'
Edward was granted leave in England from 22 February to 12 March 1918. He was Wounded in Action (gassed) on 10 May 1918 but was back with his unit on 3 June 1918. He was transferred to 1st DAC Headquarters on 18 August 1918 and embarked for return to Australia from Taranto, Italy on 8 October 1918. He arrived home on 2 December 1918 and was discharged on 31 January 1919.
Little is known of Edward's life after the war but in 1931 he wrote to Base Records asking for copy discharge papers as the originals had been 'stolen from my coat while working on Vic. Railways.' His address at the time was 60 Beavers Road, Northcote, the same address as his brother, Geroge.