Please be advised that the “daily updates” will not be appearing as regularly as they have been since we are directing our full attention to researching the district’s servicemen and women, particularly those whose names appear on the Honour Roll
Centenary of WWI in Orange update
Edwin “Neddie” Hercules Fardell was born in 1892 at Orange NSW, son of Thomas Fardell and Martha Ellen Fardell.
He enlisted at Randwick on 14 Aug 1914 in the A.I.F. Ned age 24 was 5’ 6” tall with fair complexion, brown eyes and light brown hair. HIs older brother Claude went missing in 1913 and his younger brother Aubrey was excused from service. His father died while Neddie was in Egypt in Jan 1915 and his mother lived until 1939 when she died at home the night WW2 was announced.
Neddie was wounded by shrapnel in the neck on the landing at Gallipoli on 25 April, witness thought his head had been severed. He survived and spent a month in hospital in Cairo before returning to Gallipoli to fight again.
His older first cousin, Sergeant Farrier George Fardell , born in Carcoar, was with the 4th Field Ambulance on Gallipoli. Another cousin Frederick Fardell, borin in Orange, was killed 1 Sep 1917 outside of Peronne, France.
The 2nd Batt was chosen to take part in the initial assault at Lone Pine. After gaining possession of the main enemy line, the Australians were subjected to a series of determined counter-attacks which would last the next three days, which, although successfully repulsed, proved very costly for the Australians. The 2nd Batt suffered considerably. Having started the action with 22 officers and 560 other ranks, they lost 21 officers and 409 other ranks killed or wounded.
Among those killed was its commanding officer, Scobie, who was shot dead while attempting to repulse a counter-attack on 7 August. Neddie was seriously wounded in the stomach and legs on 7 Aug 1915. Sergeant Cookson was there and saw the occurrence and helped to carry Fardell to the Casualty Clearance Station. Gangrene set in and he died on 9 Aug 1915 on the H.M.H.S. “Delta” and was buried at sea.
Prior to enlisting in the Army, Edwin had trained with the Orange Infantry. He played Rugby League and a member of the Orange club. Neddie worked in the family general store “Fardell & McIntyre” in Byng Street, East Orange. His brother-in-law Eddie “Daisy McIntyre” played in the first 1908 Wallaby Team.
“Neddie” was lovingly remembered by his mother Martha, his sisters May, Grace and Ada, his brothers Claude and Aubrey, his brothers-in-law, Eddie McIntyre, James Ryan and Paddy Power.
Ned was also remembered by “his loving friend Kathleen Ryan”. The Orange Rugby League Club and the Methodist Church held Memorial Services for him and other members that were died or wounded.