Victor Edward Crowther Blyth (1890-1968)

Wyndham City Libraries

text

eng

Victor Edward Crowther Blyth

5048

Mrs Francis Blyth,
Werribee Post Office,
Victoria
Mother

312 Fitzroy Street,
Fitzroy, Victoria

Single

No.5048  Private Victor Edward Crowther Blyth
[known as Edward Victor Blyth*]

Pre War
Edward Victor Crowther Blyth was born at Bairnsdale in 1890 to Francis Wilson Jos Blyth and Sarah Ann Wells. His parents had married at Hobart in 1883, and had eight children:

•  Francis William John Blyth - born 1885, Bairnsdale
• Elizabeth Mary Blyth - born 1886, Bairnsdale
• Agnes Beatrice Blyth - born 1888, Bairnsdale
• Edward Victor Crowther Blyth - born 1890, Bairnsdale
• Alice Maud Blyth - born 1895, Bairnsdale
• Eleanor Sarah Blyth - born 1898, Bairnsdale
• Evelyn May Blyth - born 1900, Bairnsdale
• Arthur Henry Blyth - born 1905, Bruthen

Edward spent his childhood in Gippsland, and the Blyth family were still farming at Mossiface near Bruthen in Gippsland in 1909.
Ancestry.com – Australian Electoral Rolls, 1903-1980

At some time during the early war years, the Blyth family moved to the Werribee district, where they continued farming.

Before enlisting in the A.I.F. in 1916, Victor Edward Crowther had left home, and was working as a labourer. His address at that time was 312 Fitzroy Street, Fitzroy, Victoria.

War Service
Edward Victor Crowther Blyth swore his Oath for entry into the A.I.F. at Melbourne on  27 January 1916 at Melbourne, and was sent to the 16th Depot Battalion at Bendigo for his initial training. This was completed on 26 February 1916, and he was appointed as a Private with the 16th Reinforcements for the 6th Infantry Battalion.

At the age of 28 years, Private Blyth embarked from Melbourne on 1 April 1916, with the 16 Reinforcements for the 6 Battalion, per HMAT A23 Suffolk. They sailed to Egypt, where they continued training.

While he was in Egypt he received the news that his father had died (on 11 May 1918), and he changed his next of kin contact to his mother's name.

On 31 May 1916, Private Blyth embarked at Alexandria in Egypt and sailed to England, arriving at Plymouth on 12 June 1916.  After disembarking, he went to the 2nd Training Battalion at Perham Down for more training, before he embarked for France on 21 August 1916.

Private Blyth then marched in to the 6th Battalion on 10 September 1916, while they were stationed at Ypres, and preparing to go into the front line.

He remained with his unit for just two months, until he was admitted to hospital at Rouen, suffering with severe nephritis (a kidney infection). After receiving treatment at several medical units in France, he was evacuated to England on 23 November 1916, where he was admitted to the King George Hospital.  His recovery was very slow, and it was decided that he should be returned to Australia “for a change”.

Private Blyth embarked at Plymouth per H.T. Beltana on 17 March 1917 for his voyage home, and disembarked at Melbourne.  After further medical treatment, he was then discharged from the A.I.F. at the 3rd Military District, on 29 June 1917.

Private Blyth was too ill to be present at a medal presentation ceremony at Werribee on 30 May 1917.
Werribee Shire Banner, 31 May 1917, p.2.

He was able to attend a ceremony at the Werribee Mechanic’s Hall on 1 November 1917, where he was one of six returned soldiers to be presented with a Werribee Medal.
Werribee Shire Banner, 8 November 1917, p.3.

Post War
After being discharged from the A.I.F. and recovering his health, Edward Victor Blyth moved to the Koo-wee-rup district, and the 1918 Electoral Roll shows him there working there as a farmer.

In 1920, “Edw Victor Blyth” married “Isabelle Ivy Sargeant” in Victoria.
Ancestry.com – Australian Marriage Index, 1788-1950

They were married on 21 August 1920 at the Methodist Church in Warragul. He was described in the wedding notice as being a former member of the 6th Battalion, and the second son of the late F.W. Blyth of Werribee. Ivy Isabelle was the second daughter of the late Hon. Charles and Mrs Sargeant, of Carbethon, Warragul.
The Argus, 16 October 1920, p.13.

The 1919 and 1920 Sand’s Directory recorded “Blyth, Francis W., Werribee” (his deceased father) as a local farmer.
Ancestry.com – Australia City Directories 1845-1948

Edward Victor Blyth and his wife Ivy Isobelle spent the major part of their lives farming in the Kooweerup district. 

Ivy died at Dandenong in 1956 (Certificate no.20548/1956), ** and Edward Victor Crowther Blyth died at Hallam in Victoria in 1968. (Death Certificate 10382/1968)

Notes
Private Blyth's name is not listed on the RSL Werribee Honor Board.

Name first appeared in the Werribee Shire Banner, 8 November 1917, p.3. when he was presented with a Werribee Medal. His name was never included on their published Roll of Honor.

His father, Francis Wilson Blyth, died on 11 May 1918, and was buried in the Coburg Cemetery.

His mother, Sarah Blyth died on 6 February 1941, and was also interned with her husband at Coburg Cemetery.
Ancestry.com

Medals and Entitlements:

• British War Medal No.1122
• Victory Medal No. 40522

* AIF Project - https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=25647

** Ancestry.com – Australia Death Index 1787-1985

AIF Project - https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=25647
Embarkation - https://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/
Unit War Diary - https://www.awm.gov.au/collection
Death – ancestry.com.au
Service Record – https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/
Marriage – ancestry.com.au
Pioneer Index 1837-1888 CD
Federation Index 1889-1901 CD
Edwardian Index 1902-1913 CD
Great War Index 1914-1920 CD
Marriage Index 1921-1942

British War Medal

Victory Medal