Eric Withers Edwards was born in 1896 Oswestry and was baptised on 6 March at Holy Trinity, Oswestry. He was the youngest son and fifth child of Joseph and Rosa Withers Edwards. Eric’s father was a farmer; the family lived at Fox Hall, Aston nr. Oswestry and later at the Hollies, West Felton. It was a well to do family with a governess and nurse as well as 2 house maids and farm employees. In 1909 Eric followed his elder brothers and went to Wolverhampton Grammar School as a boarder in School House, he was also in the school’s Officer Training Corps. He left school in 1911 and began work as a farmer, the School magazine records ‘he proved himself to possess the practical mind and foresight that are requisite for success’.

Eric joined up under the Derby Scheme – he had first attested in December 1915 and was mobilised in January 1917 and posted to King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. He went over to France in July 1917, posted to 6 Bn KSLI and then in August was transferred to 1 Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers. In October 1917 he contracted trench foot and spent time in England. After recovery he was posted to 4 Bn RWF before returning to France in April 1918. In July he was sick with influenza. Eric was KIA on 2 September 1918. The battalion was in action to mop up and clear St Pierre Wood near to Rancourt during the 100 Days Offensive. His obituary on the school Roll of Honour reads – ‘(Eric)…gained a reputation for gallantry, good fellowship and fine character. It was near Albert on September 2nd 1918, that ‘Big Ned’, as he was called in affection, volunteered as one of a small patrol to recover lost touch with the battalion.  Before the object had been attained he was hit by a piece of shell, and in a few minutes he died, his last words urging his friends to go on. The obituary also mentions that ‘a few days previously he had been recommended for a medal in recognition of continuous service to wounded me’.  His obituary in the Border Counties Advertiser gives more detail, his officer wrote ‘About 10 days age we recommended him for continuous gallantry in tending to the wounded and particularly on the morning of 24 August. He was the only one of his company recommended’. His body was lost and he is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial and also on war memorials at Maesbury and West Felton and Wolverhampton Grammar School Roll of Honour.

Acknowledgements. Wolverhampton Grammar School Roll of Honour

References and Sources

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