Second Lieutenant

Edward Edwards

Conflict: 
WW1
Additional Information: 

Son of the late Herbert Edwards and of Mary Elizabeth Edwards, of Tees St., Oamaru, New Zealand.

References:
  • CWGC
  • Archives New Zealand
NZ WAR GRAVES

Biographical Notes:

There is anecdotal evidence  that Edward was a scoutmaster of the Avonside Boy Scout Troop in Christchurch, New Zealand. From the church records in Christchurch, he moved to London and was the curate at St. Annes Limehouse in London before he joined the Army in 1915, joining the  Royal Army Medical Corps. His service record has not been digitised by the National Archive, but was a member of the Worcestershire Rgt. on his death in 1917.  

From the history of the Worcestershire Rgt, an account of the action where Edward died:

Early in May the 4th Worcestershire were made up to strength by fresh drafts and moved back into the battle-area. The Battalion marched northward from Coigneux on May 1st, billetted that night in Souastre and then next day proceeded through Humbercamps and La Herliere to Saulty - L' Arbret Station. Thence the Battalion moved by train to Arras, where quarters were found in the cellars of the ruined houses in the Grande Place. All next morning the Battalion stood to arms, awaiting orders to move forward in support' of an attack which was then in progress ; but no orders came (a) and eventually the companies were dismissed to rest. During the next ten days the Battalion remained in billets (b) providing many working parties, some of which went forward across the battle-field as far as the front line. 
On May 14th the 4th Worcestershire moved forward into the battle-area. For a week the companies were in reserve or support positions, mainly occupied in providing working and entrenching parties; then on May 20th the Battalion went forward to the front line. The front of the 29th Division now stretched from Monchy to the River Scarpe, and the Worcestershire relieved the Northamptonshire Yeomanry (c) in trenches immediately south of the river. Those trenches were held by the Battalion, alternately with the Northamptonshire Yeomanry, until the end of the month (d). The trench line ran across a sharp valley in which there was much scope for enterprise. Several small adventures took place when parties pushed out from the line by night to establish posts further forward (e); but nothing of importance occurred until on the evening of May 30th.  
On that night the 29th Division made a great attempt to advance the line on Infantry Hill. The centre of the fight was away to the right but, as a diversion, the 4th Worcestershire were ordered to make a small attack on the German trenches near a mill which stood west of Pelves on rising ground above the river. 
The hour for the main attack on the right had been fixed at half-an-hour before midnight. The attack of the 4th Worcestershire was to be delivered five minutes before that hour, in order • to draw the fire of the German guns. 
The attack was made by two platoons. In silence the two platoons climbed out of their trenches and advanced; but a heavy thunderstorm had soaked the ground and progress was slow. The enemy were on the alert, flares went up, and the German guns opened an intense fire. Through the 
shell-bursts the attacking platoons struggled onwards, across heavy mud under a rapid fire from the enemy's trench. Many fell, but the rest plunged on, reached the German entanglements and engaged in a bombing fight with the enemy on the parapet. Only when their bombs had run out did the Worcestershire platoons retire. The retreat was covered by 2nd Lieutenant E. D. Barclay, who gallantly held the enemy at bay with his last few bombs while his men withdrew. Almost at once the enemy retaliated. The German gun-fire became heavier, and a large raiding party came forward from the hostile trench. Again a fierce bombing fight ensued; but ' the enemy raiders failed to gain a footing in our line, and eventually fell back. Away to the right the main battle was in progress on Infantry Hill. Heavy firing lasted all night and, did not die down until the morning. Presently word came down that no success had been gained. When it became possible to reckon the casualties of that fierce night it was found that the 4th Worcestershire had lost some forty killed and wounded.
[an extract from The Worcestershire Regiment in the Great War (1914-19) by Capt H. FitzM. Stacke M.C. ]

His death was also noted in Worcester Herald 16th June 1917 edition as: 
Killed : Sec Lieut. E. Edwards

 

Public Contributions:

There are no public contributions written for this casualty

Personal Tributes:

Casualty

Name:
Edward Edwards
Rank: 
Second Lieutenant
Date of Birth:
Not known
Next of Kin: 
Mrs E. Edwards (wife), 14 Barbadoes Street, Sydenham, Christchurch, New Zealand
Date of Enlistment:
Not known
Enlistment Address: 
14 Barbadoes Street, Sydenham, New Zealand
Unit:
Worcestershire Regiment, 4 Battalion, C Company

Casualty Details

Cause of Death:
Not known
Date of Death:
30 May 1917
Day of Death:
Wednesday
Age at Death: 
37
Conflict: 
WW1

Embarkation Details

Embarkation Body:
8th Reinforcements
Embarkation Place:
Wellington, New Zealand
Embarkment Date:
13 November 1915
Transport:

HMNZT 35
HMNZT 36
Vessel:
Willochra or Tofua
Destination:
Suez, Egypt

Text in italics supplied by Cenotaph Online, Auckland War Memorial Museum

Cemetery

Cemetery: 
Cemetery Reference: 
Bay 6.
Cemetery Location: 
France
Edward Edwards
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