Name
Edward Henry Briston
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
02/07/1918
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
37591
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
PERNES BRITISH CEMETERY
II. C. 9.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin
Pre War
Edward was the eldest son of Mr Richard Henry and Ellen Briston born in Hitchin circa 1898.
In 1901 they were living at 55 Hitchin Hill, Hitchin. Edwar’s parents were Richard (41) and Ellen (42), Richard was a blacksmith originally from Norfolk. The children listed were: Jane (7), Beatrice M (4), Edward Henry (2) and John W aged 5 months.
Edward attended the Hitchin British School in Hitchin.
In 1911 they were still Hitchin Hill, but now at number 35. Richard was now recorded as a shoeing smith. His wife was present as were the children: Beatrice, Edward and John. Richard and Ellen were recorded as married for 18 years with 4 children all living.
Before joining up he was a Sunday school teacher at St. John's Church in Hitchin and he was also a Scoutmaster with the St. Mary's Church Scout Troop.
Edward was officially recorded as born and living in Hitchin when he enlisted in Bedford.
Wartime Service
He joined up on the 27th January 1917 and was posted to the 2nd Battalion of the Bedfords with the Regimental Number 37591 and went to France on the 6th June 1917. He died of wounds in No. 41 Casualty Clearing Station having been badly wounded the same morning. He was buried in the Military Cemetery adjoining the hospital.
He was probably in ‘D’ Company during an attack by the Germans on the northern outskirts of Albert. It was a quiet day until 9.25pm when the enemy, after a two-hour bombardment in which a large portion of the trench system was blown in and two Lewis-gun teams were knocked out, attacked and despite magnificent resistance by the Battalion, recaptured their former front line.
He was buried in Plot 2, Row C, Grave 9 at the Pernois British Cemetery in France.
Additional Information
His mother was awarded a pension of 6s a week from 7 January 1919
In his pension records his mother’s address was give as 57 Hitchin Hill, Hitchin later amended to note that she died on 13 January 1923 and RE H Briston is named.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
