Name
William John Edwards
1893
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/04/1917
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
43128
Bedfordshire Regiment
6th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
DUISANS BRITISH CEMETERY, ETRUN
III. F. 20.
France
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Aspenden Village Memorial,
Buntingford War Memorial, Buntingford,
Buntingford Boy Scouts Memorial, Town Hall, Buntingford,
St Mary the Virgin Church, Therfield,
Non-conformist Chapel, Therfield
Pre War
William John Edwards was born in 1893 in Buntingford, Herts, the son of Walter and Eliza Edwards and one of seven children.
On the 1901 Census the family were living at Hare Street Lane, Layston, Buntingford, where his father was working as an agricultural labourer.
By 1911 William was boarding at 1 Upper Street, Islington and working as a Pawnbroker's Shop Boy. His parents and siblings were living at Meeting Alley, Baldock Lane, Buntingford. He was said to be living at Buntingford at the time of enlistment.
Wartime Service
He enlisted at Westminster initially joining the Essex Regiment (Reg. No. 1809) and was later transferred to the 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.
He died from wounds on 26 April 1917 at No. 8 Casualty Clearing Station, France (situated at Agnez-le-Duisans at the time). His wounds were probably received during the Second Battle of the Scarpe two days previously.
Additional Information
Brother Richard George Edwards served with the Royal Navy and died 1 June 1916. Brother Charles Edward served with the Royal Field Artillery and died in 1919.
His father Walter received a war gratuity of £10 and pay owing of £9 18s 8d.
His mother Elizabeth (Eliza) received a pension in respect of the three sons but the amount is not known.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Malcolm Lennox, Jonty Wild, Carol Emery, www.aspendenpc.org.uk
