Eddie was the last child of Levi Lefoe and Jane (Martin), and was born in 14th September 1873 at Stanley, near Beechworth. Levi died in 1878 and Jane remarried in 1889.
Towards the end of the nineteenth century the South African Colonies had become disgruntled with interference in local affairs by the British, who had maintained a presence in the region for over a century. In 1899 the Boers, descendants of Dutch settlers, declared war on British forces.

When war broke out civilians throughout the Australian Colonies volunteered for service with active colonial government support. Over 15,000 personnel served in the Boer war, and by the end of the war casualties totalled about 1400, with 518 Australians killed. Six Australians were awarded the Victoria Cross for their Boer War service.

Eddie enlisted with the Third New South Wales Mounted Rifles Regiment. (The official records list him as Joseph Edward Lefoe No 1270, Trooper) This regiment was raised upon the same lines as its predecessors, preference being given to trained men who were good shots and good riders; age 20 to 40 years; height 5 feet 6 inches and upwards; minimum chest measurement 34 inches. Applicants were required to be single men and to pass a military medical examination. The uniform consisted of F.S. jacket, pants, puttees and hat.

Eddie joined “D” Squadron, the records showing him as a labourer, born in Beechworth Victoria 14/9/1874, religion as Eng, single, with next of kin as mother, Mrs Gammage of Beechworth. He signed his name as Edward Lefoe.

“B” and “D” squadrons embarked at Sydney on the transport Maplemore on 15th March and arrived at Port Elizabeth on 12 April, 1901, with 8 officers and 251 others).

The regiment was attached to Colonel Remington’s column from 2nd May 1901 to 28th April 1902. The regiment took part on operations in the Eastern Transvaal and Eastern Orange River Colony in 1901-02. The total strength of the regiment was 37 officers, 980 of other ranks, besides supernumeraries with 1000 horses.

Eddie died in Standerton from a fever (typhoid) on June 6, 1901.