Edwin ABRAHAM

Edwin Abraham was born at Taihape in New Zealand and was a student at Hawkesbury College when he joined the Australian forces. His papers record service from 28 October 1914 and attestation at Liverpool, New South Wales, on 9 November. He gave his age as twenty years and one month, was unmarried, and named his sister Mrs McTaggart of Taihape as his next of kin. He reported earlier Australian Military Forces service at Hawkesbury College.

He served as Private 41 with the 1st Veterinary Section and later the 5th Mobile Veterinary Section. His service papers record a brief posting to the Australian Veterinary Hospital at Calais in June 1917 before his return to the mobile section.

In August 1917 he became seriously unwell in France and was evacuated to England. The records describe confusion, difficulty concentrating, tremor and marked physical and mental exhaustion. He passed through Netley and was transferred to Lord Derby War Hospital, Warrington, on 29 August. His illness was diagnosed on 4 September as dementia praecox (a historical term for a serious mental illness later known as schizophrenia). The medical board attributed the condition to active service and the stress of the campaign and recommended repatriation to Australia.

His service statement records departure from England for return to Australia aboard transport A72 on 18 October 1917. He died on 18 January 1918 and he is buried at Coburg Pine Ridge Cemetery.