Military History

Edward is listed as being killed in action on 9th October 1917. The 2nd Battalion war diary entries for the period 8th to 10th October are transcribed below.

Polygon Wood – 8.10.17: Bn held the line E of Polygon Wood. A, D & C Coys in front line, B Coy in support.

12mn: 2/Lt Searle put out tapes for attack.

Polygon Wood – 9.10.17: 5.30am: The Battalion attacked with H A C on night. A Coy held the line on left. D Coy & C Coy attacked B Coy in support.

5.55am: Green lights seen all along our objective line. 2/Lt J H Davis killed at the Butte.

6.20am: Two wounded N C O’s of left Coy report Coy had passed through Judge Copse and had captured one prisoner. Enemy ran away and were fired on continuously.

6.50am: Enemy prisoner brought in by 2 men of 9^th Devons, he was found in a pill box behind our lines near the Butte. Prisoner was there with 2 men of 2 R War R and stated he had been there for 3 days. Prisoners stated he belonged to 92 I.R. [92^nd Infantry Regiment].

7.10am: Message received from H A C on night that continuous machine gun fire still coming from direction of Judge Copse.

7.15am: Sent message to O.C. support Coy to send Platoon to mop up Judge Copse.

7.30am: Received message from 2/Lt J M Green of left attacking Coy stating he was wounded and with A Coy (holding line on left of attacking Coys). Situation map marked. He reported that left attacking Coy had lost direction, passed through Judge Copse and had mixed with left Coy N edge of Cemetery. Also that B Coy (Supports) had advanced in direction of Cemetery and were with D & C Coys there.

8.40am: Sent message to O.C. A Coy to reconnoitre his right, collect any men of left attacking and establish them in defensive posts. Also informed him of advance of a Coy of 9^th Devons who were being sent to mop up Judge Copse and fill up gap on the left flank.

Capt. D. Augcutt reported killed.

9am: Received message from 2/Lt J A Dorey (right attacking Coy) stating that they were on a line N of Cemtery.

Capt. C.L.N Roberts and 2/Lt R C STABLE killed.

Right Coy in touch with left of H A C.

10am: Received message from O.C. B Coy and situation map marked. Received message from O.C. B Coy to say he was sending a platoon to deal with Machine Gun in Cemetery.

12.10pm: Received message from Sgt Partridge, commanding D Coy

Received message from O.C. A Coy that 1 Coy 9th DEVONS were in position on his right.

2.30pm: O.C. 9th DEVONS received message from O.C. Coy on right of A Coy R WAR R that he is not in touch with D Coy R WAR R on W side of Judge Copse, but that his right is on E. edge of Judge Copse.

Officers commanding Battalions decide that an attack shall be made to clear enemy still in Copse by a raid by 9th DEVONS.

4pm: Received message from O.C. A Coy – Captain G.C. Blandy killed.

4.15pm: Received message from O.C. C Coy and situation map

5.35pm: Received report of patrols and situation from O.C. A Coy

5.45pm: S.O.S. sent up on our front. Enemy barrage put down. Received A295 from Brigade. 2/Lts C.W. MaGuire & A.Scrivener joined.

Polygon Wood - 10.10.17: 7am: Message from A Coy sent 2/Lt Wheeler to D Coy, established connection on right. 9^th Devon party cleared Judge Copse. Capt. R.A. Rafael returned from line and reported all connected up.

9am: Situation report from Officers Commanding C & D.

11pm: Battalion relieved