Anzac Day tribute: Colour brings new life to historical photos

Liverpool Genealogy Society’s Patricia Braden tells the story behind an image of her great uncles, “the Edwards boys”, celebrating their return from The Great War in 1919.

Carl Gill, Harry Edwards, father John Edwards, Sidney Edwards, Charles Chidgey, Ann Maguire, Annie (Edwards) Chidgey, mother Dorothy (Maguire) Edwards, Daisy Chittick, Bessie Chidgey, Rene Edwards, Myra White. Picture supplied by Patricia Braden, of Liverpool Genealogy Society

Recent documentaries have colourised and given new life to film of life during World War I.

Patricia Braden has shared an image of her great uncles, “the Edwards boys”, when they were joined by good friend Carl Gill at a family gathering in 1919 to celebrate their return from The Great War.

Mrs Braden writes:

Harry Edwards was the younger of the two brothers and was a bit of a daredevil ‒ being the first to sign up and head overseas.

He served in Egypt, Gallipoli and the Western Front where he was very much affected by shell-shock.

When he came home he tended toward violent outbursts and was often erratic and quickly became very agitated.

The original image of Carl Gill, Harry Edwards, father John Edwards, Sidney Edwards, Charles Chidgey, Ann Maguire, Annie (Edwards) Chidgey, mother Dorothy (Maguire) Edwards, Daisy Chittick, Bessie Chidgey, Rene Edwards, Myra White. Picture supplied by Patricia Braden, of Liverpool Genealogy Society

He married Myra White on his return (with three children following) but they divorced 20 years later.

Sid on the other hand, was a much quieter nature. He signed up 12 months after Harry and was initially sent to Egypt, then France and the Western Front.

Here he was severely gassed and wounded ‒ from which he never fully recovered.

He served with distinction and was selected to represent his unit in the Victory March in London after the Armistice.

After his marriage to Daisy Chittick in 1920 they settled in Goulburn (where they had one daughter).

He worked for County Theatres (now Hoyts) and eventually became their manager for over 20 years.

But his war disabilities finally led to an early retirement amongst the flowers in his much loved garden.

He was a foundation member of many of Goulburn’s social clubs, not the least being the RSL, bowling and horticultural clubs.

Carl Gill, a school teacher, was a very good friend of the Edwards boys.

Despite signing up 12 months apart, the brothers met up at Fovant Training Camp in England, in 1917 whilst Sid was on sick leave.

Harry returned to Australia on January 19, 1919, and Sid returned on June 23, 1919.

Liverpool Genealogy Society will present an exhibition, Beyond the Tree, from July 6 at Liverpool Regional Museum, where they have regular meetings. New members are welcome.