SAPPER EDWIN CHARLES MULLEN
7797 – 2nd Tunnelling Company
Edwin ‘Ted’ Charles Mullen was born in Moorooka, Brisbane, Queensland on July 7, 1895 the son of John Thomas and Agnes (nee Houghton) Mullen. Previous military experience was two years with the Area 90 Senior Cadets and four years with the Citizens Forces, 9th Infantry, Brisbane and he had handed all equipment back to both services before enlisting.
At the recruiting depot in Brisbane, Qld on June 11, 1917 the almost twenty-two year old saddler applied to enlist for active service abroad. Passing the medical examination Attestation forms were completed revealing he was 172cms (5ft 7½ins) tall, weighed 62.7kgs (138lbs) with a chest expansion of 82-89cms (32-35ins). Fair was his complexion with dark brown hair and his hazel eyes tested to good vision. Church of England was his religion. His father John Thomas Mullen of Moorooka, South Coast Line, Queensland was named as his next-of-kin. He signed and took the ‘Oath of Allegiance’ the same day.
After basic training commenced he was declared ‘dentally fit’ on July 17 and allotted to the Pioneers’ Battalion at Rifle Range Camp at Enoggera, Brisbane. Two days final Home Leave was taken on July 23 to 24 before he was transferred to the Miners’ Depot on August 1. He arrived at their training camp at Seymour, Victoria on August 8 and placed with the November, 1917 Reinforcements to the Tunnelling Companies in the rank of Sapper with the regimental number 7797. Their final training included work at Bendigo, Vic from August 28 to November 2 then returned to Seymour camp until November 20. An overnight stay at Broadmeadows camp in Melbourne, Vic that night was in preparation for departure the next day.
The troopship HMAT A71 Nestor departed Port Melbourne, Vic on November 21, 1917 with 168 Reinforcements on board. The voyage of twenty-five days duration terminated at the Suez on December 15, 1917 and the men disembarked going to the Australian Infantry Camp, Suez the same day.
They entrained for Alexandria on January 4, 1918 and marched into the Australian Camp, Gabbary, in Alexandria on January 5. They boarded on January 8, 1918 the Transport E620 Abbasiah, disembarking at Taranto, Italy on 12 January. It was an unusual journey for the troops to undertake the weeklong train travel from Taranto to Cherbourg, France, and to then cross the channel to Southampton, England disembarking on January 24, 1918. A further entrainment completed their journey to Tidworth and they marched into No. 3 Details Camp at Parkhouse for further training.
On March 10, 1918 the troops proceeded to France via Southampton and arrived the next day at the Aust General Base Depot in Rouelles. Six days later went to the Aust Corps Depot at Caestre and marched out to the 2nd Tunnelling Company and taken on strength on March 19, 1918.
On July 26, 1918 Sapper Mullen was wounded in action by a mustard gas shell attack and admitted to the 15th Aust Field Ambulance noted as ‘yellow gas’ and transferred to the 20th Casualty Clearing Station. There is no record of the attack in the Unit Diary for that day but earlier in the week the following was recorded and procedures for installing gas blankets for dugouts had been circulated.
Unit Diary July, 1918 - 2nd Tunnelling Company:
He was sent to the 16th General Hospital at Le Treport on August 1, 1918 and six days later transferred to the 1st Aust Corps Depot in Havre. His father was advised by Base Records on August 10, 1918 that his son had been wound in action by gas.
On September 14 he was discharged to Base ‘A’ in Rouelles and marched out to rejoin his unit a few days later.
He was with his unit when Peace was declared and the Tunnellers remained as part of the Army of Occupation assisting with rehabilitation of roads and bridges by removing bombs and traps left by the enemy.
He went sick on January 18, 1919 to the 55th Casualty Clearing Station suffering from a Social Disease and transferred to the 7th General Hospital at Wimereux then sent to England and admitted to the 1st Aust Dermatological Hospital at Bulford on January 20. After eighty days curative care he was released to the Convalescent Training Depot on April 2, 1919 and marched out to the No. 1 Command Depot at Sutton Veny on April 11 to await his voyage home.
Sapper Mullen embarked on June 5, 1919 on board the H.T. Mahia for the journey to Australia. His father received advice from Base Records dated July 5, 1919 of his impending return.
The news was published in The Brisbane Courier on Wednesday July 16, 1919:
The voyage terminated in Sydney, NSW (2nd M.D.) on July 20, 1919 and he returned to Brisbane, Qld (1st M.D.) soon after. The Brisbane Courier onMonday July 21 1919 reported his arrival:
Military Discharge was issued on August 13, 1919 in Brisbane, (1st M.D.) on August 13, 1919 on the termination of his period of enlistment.
His Will was returned to the Assistant Adjutant General in the 1st Military District on October 4, 1919.
He married on November 29, 1919 to Ellen Ann England in Queensland and his address was Ipswich Road, Moorooka with the occupation of saddler.
For serving his country Sapper 7797 Edwin Charles Mullen, 2nd Tunnelling Company received the British War Medal (32395) and the Victory Medal (30426).
A Statement of Service was issued from Base Records to the Repatriation Department in Brisbane on August 19, 1927.
In 1937 Edward Street, Camp Hill was their residence and he was a butcher. This changed to Boundary Road, Coorparoo and still a butcher as recorded in 1943. His occupation was a storeman in 1949 and they were living at Unwin Street, Moorooka changing to 544 Brunswick Street, New Farm working as a clerk in 1954. Last place of residence was 29 Jenning Street, Zillmere recorded in 1958.
Edwin Charles Mullen died on December 10, 1961 aged 66 years. Funeral notices were published in The Courier-Mail on Tuesday December 11, 1961:
His grave is located in the Anzac portion of the Lutwyche Cemetery.
© Donna Baldey 2011