Jan 17, 1896

Born in Dublin, Ireland

Jun 4, 1909

Embarked the SS Tunisian in Liverpool, England in the care of St Dunstan’s Roman Catholic Home Children

Jun 12, 1909

Disembarked in Montreal, Quebec and proceeded to Ottawa, Ontario.  From here he was probably placed in a foster home in south eastern Ontario

Oct 28, 1915

Attested into the 154^th Battalion in Alexandria, Ontario 

Ø      Number 633111

Ø      Next of kin given as Mary Edwards, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England

Ø      Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø      Assigned to “D” Company

Mar 15, 1916

Forfeited 2 days pay for being absent

Oct 25, 1916

Embarked the HMS Mauretania in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Oct 31, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England

Jan 31, 1917

The Battalion was absorbed into the newly formed 6^th Reserve Battalion at East Sandling

Apr 17, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Apr 18, 1917

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 85 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion. 

May 21, 1917

Joined the 21^st Battalion in the front lines as part of a draft of 149 reinforcements.  On joining the battalion he was assigned to “A” Company.

Oct 15, 1917

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Nov 12, 1917

While involved in fighting at Passchendaele, Private Edwards received shrapnel wounds to his right hand and was evacuated to the No. 13 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 44 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for further treatment

Nov 16, 1917

He was transferred via the No. 16 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 4 General Hospital in Dannes Camiers for treatment

Nov 29, 1917

Transferred to the No. 6 Convalescent Depot in Etaples to continue his recovery

Dec 2, 1917

Transferred to the No. 14 Convalescent Depot in Trouville

Jan 25, 1918

Discharged from hospital and reported to the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples and assigned to “A” Company for those recovering from wounds and illness

Feb 4, 1918

Left the CIBD and joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Calonne Ricouart

Feb 14, 1918

Left the CC Rein C to join the battalion

Feb 16, 1918

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion in Brigade Support in the Mericourt Section

Feb 19, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

Mar 6, 1918

Rejoined the battalion from leave

Apr 5, 1918

The 21^st Battalion was in the front line at the Telegraph Hill Switch, south of Arras, under orders to hold it at all cost.  Private Edwards was killed in action during fierce machine gun and artillery fire. 

Bellacourt Military Cemetery
Riviere, France

Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his sister, Miss Mary Edwards, c/o The Reverend Mother, 16 Calverley Pk. Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England. 

There was no Memorial Cross issued