Lieutenant, Cecil Harry EDMUNDS
Aged 28
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Cecil Harry Edmunds was born in Soham on 21st February 1890(Newmarket Q1-1890 3B:536), baptised in Soham on 21st March 1890, son of Alfred and Marion EDMUNDS (née SMITH) of Churchgate Street, Soham.
1891 census...Aged 1, he was at Churchgate Street, Soham with his father Alfred EDMUNDS [31] draper,grocer,coal and flour merchant, born Wisborough Green, Sussex; his mother Marion [29] born Wadhurst, Sussex; sisters Evelyn M [7] born Croydon and Anne N [3] born Soham; brothers John S [6] and Alfred E [5], both born in Croydon; grandmother Mary Ann SMITH [65] born Horsmonden, Kent. He was admitted to Soham Grammar school from private tuition, on 10th September 1897, aged 7 years 6 months. He was 1st in order of merit in County Council Examination July 1901, passed University of Cambridge Local Junior Division 2nd class Honours in 1903. Cambridge Local Senior Xmas 1904, Mayor's Scholarship Cambs C.C.£20 annually until July 1907. (source:- http://www.sohamgrammar.org.uk/go-to-admission-register.htm ) 1901 census...Aged 11, he was at Churchgate Street, Soham with his parents; sister Annie V; brothers Alfred E, Reginald C [9], Claude L [7] and Guy V [4] and grandmother Mary Ann SMITH. His new brothers were all born in Soham. 1911 census...Aged 21, a student, he was at Clay Street, Soham with his parents (father now an accountant); Sister Annie Victoria; brothers Reginald Chase (miller's clerk); Claude Lambert (printer's apprentice) and Guy Victor (scholar) and grandmother Mary Ann SMITH. Educated at Soham Grammar School and Downing College, Cambridge he had been a master at St Mave's School, Tower Bridge, London, He was a Master at St Olave's Grammar School, Orpington from 1911 to 1915. Cecil married Constance Ada CHARD in Q2-1915 in Bedford, at one time living with his parents at Sussex House, Soham, her address later being "St Olaf", Swinburne Avenue, Broadstairs, Kent. In 1919 his records show his widow and son G.C.(Geoffrey C. born Bedford) living at 170 Hurst Grove, Bedford and his parents, eldest sister Evelyn and eldest brother John living in Soham. His younger brother Guy Victor was killed in France in 1916. see here |
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A member of the Cambridge University Officer Training Corps until 28th June 1911, on leaving Cambridge. Cecil was commissioned, 2nd Lieutenant 21st (County of London) Battalion, the London Regiment (1st Surrey Rifles) on 28th September 1915 The 3rd day of the Kaiserschlacht, the German Spring Offensive when the Germans were sweeping all before them. The hand written war diary of the 1st Surrey Rifles is not totally legible but in essence it reads : Ordered to withdraw to DESSART RIDGE, they moved off at 12:30 am and were in the new position by 02:30. RWF Company (Royal Welch Fusiliers) withdrew by order and enemy entered gap thus formed, opposite cemetery and turned the line about 04:00. Battalion withdrew under covering fire towards YTRES, EQUANCOURT being already in enemy occupation. Battalion reassembled in neighbourhood of VALLULART WOOD and marched under Col.PARRISH (OC 17th Bttn) to LE TRANSLOY. Meanwhile Col.DAWES and HQ detail were awaiting orders in HQ( quarry about Q.20.d.4.3.) No orders received. Touch obtained with Col.MAXWELL (23rd Battn) who said his orders were to withdraw at 1 pm. Orders were accordingly sent to Coys on DESSART RIDGE to conform. These orders failed to reach as Coys had already withdrawn. 1 pm HQ withdrew from METZ towards YTRES reconnoitering DESSART RIDGE on way. It was found in enemy hands. Approx 3 pm(Major WALFORD wounded. 2nd Lt C.H.EDMUNDS missing believed wounded, 2nd Lts B J HEGARTY & A W HUMPHREYS shell shock) Bridagier met near YTRES. Ordered all Bde Details to re assemble on FOUR WINDS FARM aerodrome. A firing line formed in open with HQ details and men of 15th Battn. Enemy attack developed immediately. Position held till dusk 7:30 pm Withdrawal to sunk road S of ? Line prolonging 7th Fusiliers held until 1:30 am. the 1st Surrey Rifles had 16 killed, only two have identified graves. Reported missing and later recorded as dying on 23rh March, as the note below shows, he was actually found by a German ambulance company, death recorded as 24th March and buried by them at Fins.His father had written, from Sussex House, Soham, to the International Red Cross enquiring as to whether they had either of his two sons, Cecil or Guy recorded as prisoner of war, but the reply was "negatif envoyé", nothing found, in both cases. from his Army Officers records, National Archives. The Germans returned his personal effects, consisting of:- a note book, pocket book, leather wallet with photo, cheque book, officers advance book, cheque for 18 shillings (90p), a purse, gold signet ring,letters and 3 farthings (each 1/4 of a penny).   Confirmation of actual date of death photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission and also commemorated on the Soham war memorial click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
