Private Edward Lewis Maynard

Communication could be slow in World War One, with families sometimes receiving letters from the dead.

Private Edward Lewis Maynard, a Tasmanian Aboriginal man from Flinders Island, joined the Australian Imperial Force on 21 May 1915.

Private Maynard left Melbourne on the HMAT A31 “Ajana” on 4 June 1915, and joined the 15^th Battalion at Gallipoli on 2 August 1915. Six days later, he was killed in action on 2 August 1915 at Marmara on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

Private Maynard’s mother, Alicia, of Flinders Island, received letters from her son after his death.  The Major at Base Records wrote to Mrs Maynard in September 1915 explaining that the letters were written while Private Maynard was at Gallipoli but posted by someone else at Base Records. 

Private Maynard’s brother, David, received a letter from Private Maynard dated 9 January 1916, which made his mother believe he still might be alive.