Edward MASSINGHAM
Year of Birth: 1916
Place of Birth: Campsie, New South Wales, Australia
Date of Enlistment: 4 November 1939 Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
Australian Defence Force: Australian Imperial Force
Rank: Private
Unit(s): 2/3 Battalion Australian Infantry
Service Number: NX78801
Died: 6 September 1943
Age: 27 years
Buried: Cairns War Cemetery – Plot A – Row A – Grave 19
Edward Massingham was born 13 August 1916 in Campsie, New South Wales, to George Simpson and Elizabeth Ann (Hide) Massingham. He married Beryl Benson in 1939.
He enlisted in Wollongong at the age of 23, a timber cutter by trade and gave his next of kin as his wife Beryl Massingham. Edward served in Egypt, Middle East and New Guinea.
Cause of death was accidental drowning in the Tully River. He jumped from the train window whilst moving across the river. An inquiry found no evidence as to the motive which induced him to jump from the train. He was enlisted for active service outside of Australia and was enlisted for continuous full time duty for the duration of the war.
Edward Massingham’s name is on Lakemba Roll of Honour board and also located at panel 30 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial.
Online Resources
NAA: B883, (MASSINGHAM Edward) National Archives of Australia
Department Veterans’ Affairs Nominal Rolls
National Library of Australia: Trove Digitised Newspapers
Queensland Registrar of Births Deaths & Marriages
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