Private Edwin Harry Craker

Edwin Harry Craker was born on 13 September 1888 in Magill, Adelaide, to parents Edwin and Marion (née Small) Craker. He had three younger sisters named Thelma Eva (born 1898), Adelaide Gertrude (born 1890), and Nesta Mary (born 1895). Craker had moved to Melbourne by 1916, and worked as a labourer.

After the outbreak of the First World War, Edwin Harry Craker attempted to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force twice. He was rejected on his first attempt because of his flat feet. However, he successfully enlisted as a private on 18 October 1916. Craker was allotted to the 22nd Infantry Battalion and embarked on the HMAT Hororata on 23 November 1916.

Craker arrived in England in January 1917 and joined the 6th Training Battalion at Larkhill Camp. He was there for a year, and during his time there was appointed Acting Corporal on 6 September 1917, then Acting Lance Corporal on 2 November 1917. Craker was not able to serve in France due to a hernia that had increased in size over the course of his training.

He returned to Australia on 10 January 1918 on the HMT Corinthic. On the voyage home, Craker took part in a concert held to entertain the troops, performing the song “Where my Caravan Has rested”.

After his return, Craker started his long career as a clerk in Melbourne. He married Eunice Ellen Down in 1936. It seems that they had no children. Edwin Harry Craker died on 3 December 1972, at the age of 84.