Lance Corporal Edward (Brow) Brougham Cressy

   Thanks to Gary Mitchell for permission to share his Facebook post here on our blog.

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26th December 2021

Served and suffered during The Great War, resting at Sandgate Cemetery, not forgotten.

60 years ago today, on the Tuesday afternoon of the 26th December 1961, Lance Corporal Edward (Brow) Brougham Cressy, 54th Battalion (Reg No-4163), blacksmith’s striker (Sulphide Corporation Works, N.S.W.) from Creek Reserve Road, Boolaroo, New South Wales and Cardiff, N.S.W., was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 69. CATHOLIC 2-44. 16.

Born at Tamworth, New South Wales on the 7th April 1892 to Brougham (died 1944) and Ann Elizabeth (died 1935) Cressy nee Stace; husband of Catherine Cressy nee Ambrose (married 24.8.1915, Newcastle, N.S.W., died 1966, sleeping here), Brow enlisted August 1915 with the 1st Battalion at Newcastle, N.S.W.

Younger brother Henry (Harry) Alfred (54th Battalion, Reg No-4179A, KIA 19.7.1916, Battle of Fromelles) awaiting memorialisation at the cemetery. METHODIST 4-09. 17.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133876215 - Roll of Honour, 1916.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134864221 - Roll of Honour, 1917.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139439368 - Roll of Honour, 1919.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article162590299 - parents receive medal for Harry at the Sulphide Hall.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137965849 - reported that the Cressy brothers in camp.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137963642 - farewell and presentation to the Cressy brothers at Boolaroo.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133878156 - report of parcels sent to the Cressy brothers by the Boolaroo Red Cross Society.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133878987 - report that parents had received a cable that their boys had reached London.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133887970 - report that Harry KIA and Edward had been wounded.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article128051849 - report that Harry KIA and Edward had been wounded.

Wounded in action - 20.7.1916 (GSW thigh, mild, Battle of Fromelles), 20.10.1917 (GSW left arm), 1.9.1918 (GSW right leg).

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133890025 - report that Brow in hospital.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133840668 - letter home from Brow about be wounded at Fromelles. Interesting to note that Pozieres is mentioned as the battle concerned, which did not take place until the 23rd July 1916.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138748683 - reported wounded 2nd occasion.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127114210 - reported wounded 2nd occasion.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138738013 - report that Brow in hospital.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137495653 - reported wounded 3rd occasion.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137500005 - report that Brow in hospital.

Brow was invalided home January 1919, being discharged medically unfit on the 22nd March 1919.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139643808 - reported returning home.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139653501 - reported returning home.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139643606 - welcome home.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139646231 - welcome home and presentation of gold medal at the Sulphide Hall.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138834602 - report that Brow a member of Cardiff Manchester Unity of Oddfellows.

Mr. Cressy’s name has been inscribed on Hamilton Superior Public School Roll of Honor - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140980720, Boolaroo District Roll of Honour, Boolaroo Methodist Church Roll of Honour, Sulphide Corporation Pty Ltd Cockle Creek Works Roll of Honour, Boolaroo Loyal Star Lodge M.U.I.O.O.F. Roll of Honour - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133877490 and the Tamworth Methodist Church Circuit Roll of Honor. Name would also be inscribed on the Boolaroo Public School Roll of Honour (location unknown).

I have placed poppies and a 1914-1918 WAR label in remembrance of Edward’s service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.

http://sandgate.northerncemeteries.com.au/.../index.php...

Photo 1 - Edward Brougham Cressy enlisted into WWI on 15th August 1915 (day before his brother Henry Alfred Cressy). Submitted by Julianne T Ryan, courtesy of Vaux/Cressy family.

Photo 2 - 1915 Cressy Family picture - Mother Ann Elizabeth Cressy, baby brother, Edward Brougham Cressy, Henry (Harry) Alfred Cressy and Father Brougham Cressy. Submitted by Julianne T Ryan, courtesy of Vaux/Cressy family.

Many thanks to Dorothy Coe, Angela Harragon, Peter Taylor and all the Cressy descendants who gathered with me at Sandgate Cemetery on the 19th July 2016 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles.

http://fffaif.org.au/?p=814 - story of the Cressy brothers.

Lest We Forget.