No.18642, Private, Walter EDWARDS
Aged 28
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Walter Edwards was born in Soham (Newmarket Q3-1886 3B:538), son of Robert and Martha Ann EDWARDS (née MOTT).
1891 census...Aged 4, he was at Brook Street, Soham with his father Robert EDWARDS [49] farm labourer; his mother Martha Ann [39]; brothers Robert [18] (Corporal 4th Suffolk Regiment), Harry [9] Herbert [7], and Arthur [2]; sister Ellen [12]. All were born in Soham. 1901 census...Aged 14, an errand boy, he was with his parents at Brook Street with his brothers Herbert (farm labourer) and Arthur (newspaper boy). In Q3-1905, in Ashton under Lyne, Lancashire, he married Elizabeth Ann SWALES [16-4-1887]. 1911 census...Aged 25, butcher's labourer, he was at St.John's Square, Soham with his wife of six years, Elizabeth [24] born Ashton under Lyne and their sons Walter [25-4-1906] and William Arthur [16-3-1909] and daughter Violet May [25-8-1907], the children all Soham born. At Brook Street were his parents and brothers Harry and Arthur, farm labourers. Three of his mother's 10 children had died Walter and Elizabeth went on to have 3 more children, Amelia Hannah [16-5-1912], Fred [14-8-1913] and George Robert [4-1-1915]. The pension card has his widow at 3 Chapel Street, Ashton under Lyne. His elder brother Harry was killed in action in France in 1918. see here |
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He enlisted in the Lancashire Militia on 17th April 1905 at Ashton under Lyne. No.354, 5th Manchester Regiment. He was single, gave his age as 19, a butcher working for William Holden in Ashton. Born in Soham, living at Queen Street, Ashton under Lyne. 5 feet 4 3/8 inches (163.6 cm) tall weighing 108 lbs (49.1 kg), chest 33.5" to 36" (85.1 to 91.4 cm), grey brown eyes, light brown hair, a Baptist. Next of kin, father Robert Edwards, Brook Street, Soham. His note are brief and seem to imply him leaving the militia by purchase in August 1906, which suggests his marriage had altered his plans somewhat. Unfortunately his war time records have not been found. His battalion was in the Ypres salient February-March 1916 and had suffered heavy casualties on 1st March near Bedford House and the Bluff, 250 casualties from the 500 or so that took part in the action. It is very likely that this was when Walter was wounded, before being evacuated to Etaples on the Channel coast to a base hospital. The medal rolls have his details and award of British War Medal and Victory Medal, but his medal index card has not been found. Local press report:- SOHAM SOLDIER'S DEATH Information has been received of the death of Pte.Walter Edwards, fourth son on Mr.and Mrs.Robert Edwards of Brook Street, Soham. The deceased soldier, who enlisted about 16 months ago in the 2nd Batt. Suffolk Regiment, had also served in the Militia now disbanded. He left England for the Western theatre of war last June and has since been engaged in much fighting. From the official information it appears that Pte.Edwards was severely wounded in the head on March 3rd and was conveyed to a hospital in France, where, in spite of every care and attention bestowed by a noted specialist, he succumbed to his wounds. The case is sad in the extreme, and sympathy will go out to the widow and six children, who are now living at Ashton under Lyne. Deceased was only 30 years of age. The following letter, dated March 10th, has been received by Mr.Robert Edwards, of Red Lion Square, Soham, from the Captain commanding at the 26th General Hospital, France:- "I am deeply sorrow to have to tell you that your poor brother died quietly and painlessly this afternoon. He had a pretty good night,last night, but some time today he took a turn for the worse. A consultation was held and it was decided that the only chance of saving his life was to operate at once, which they did, but am thankful to say he placed his trust in God and was not taken short. I was with him the whole afternoon and he sent you all his love, and desired that you would not worry about him. He suffered no more pain than just a headache, for his other wounds hardly troubled him. I must write a letter to his widow, poor girl. I am sincerely sorry for you all - Yours Sincerely, H.B.de Montmorency."
photo:Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
