Edward McComish

Background

Edward Joseph McComish was the son of Patrick and Elizabeth McComish of County Down, Ireland. He joined the British Army at Newry, Ireland on 2 March 1853. He was described as being 5 foot and 3 quarters of an inch tall, aged 17 years and eight months. His regimental number was 3179 and the regiment was the 12th Foot East Suffolk. His bounty was 4.0.0. Edward was stationed at the Regimental Headquarters located at Belfast, from 23 March 1853 until May 1854. He then moved to Cork where the bulk of the regiment embarked on the Camperdown from Penroses Quay. the commanding officer was Major Kempt.

Goldfields Involvement, 1854

They arrived in Melbourne on 18 October 1854 carrying 10 officers, 321 other ranks, 45 women and 138 children. Two days later a parade of 2 drummers, 2 pipers and a sergeant proceeded through Melbourne's streets 'Crying down the credit of the Regiment', this ceremony traditional in conveying a warning to the citizens of the city not to trust any soldier belonging to the regiment beyond the amount of one day's pay.

Edward disembarked the Camperdown on 22 October while the rest of the regiment arrived on 6 November 1854 aboard the Empress Eugene.

Edward left Melbourne on 27 November 1854 bound for Ballarat, in company of 50 men under the command of Captain Atkinson. They were met at the Eureka Lead by an angry mob when Benden Hassell, Young and a drummerJohn Egan were injured.

Further Reading

Corfield, J.,Wickham, D., & Gervasoni, C. The Eureka Encyclopaedia, Ballarat Heritage Services, 2004.