Military History

Edward is listed as being killed in action on 25th September 1916. The 8th Battalion war diary entry for the period 24th to 1st October is transcribed below.

near Fleurs - 24th to 1st October 1916: About 7pm on the night of the 24^th the Battalion marched up to take over positions prior to making an attack the next day. Before they reached the position the enemy heavily shelled our men, several casualties resulting.

At 12.30pm on the 25^th the first attack was launched, the 8^th Bn being in a position on the right of Fleurs. The objective was the first German line, a distance of about 1000 yards from the trench from which the Battalion launched the attacks. The attack was made in waves each platoon forming a wave and 2 waves going over at a time. The attack was launched with splendid courage?, the first objective was gained in about ¾ of an hour, the men then stopped a short time to consolidate and then gain and to allow the artillery barrage to lift.

They then pressed on to the second objective which was the village of Gueudecourt. By the time the village their ranks were sadly thinned by the tremendous artillery barrage the enemy put up, and by machine guns which wrought terrible havoc. Nevertheless with dauntless gallantry they pressed on, reaching the village and engaging the enemy in hand to hand fighting which took place all the night.

On the morning [26^th] the 7^th Bn relieved the 8^th Bn in the village, and the enemy were finally driven out.

The 8^th Bn were brought back to the second line of trenches, where they were relieved by the 6^th Bn on the 28^th. They then went back to Swiss Trench where they remained until relieved on the night of Oct 1^st.