Edward Sweeney was born in Middlewich in 1890. His mother was Mary Sweeney, nee Riley. In 1891 census Mary and baby Edward are living with her mother, also Mary, and elder brother Thomas at Lewin Street, Middlewich. His mother is listed as married but there is no record of his father. By 1901 Mary  was a widow, she, Edward and another child, Lucy age 2 years, were living at Croxton Lane, Middlewich, Mary is a working as charwoman. No record can be found of the family in the 1911 census. However, by 1913 Edward had married Elizabeth Davies and was living at 16 Ash Road, Oswestry He was working as a labourer for the WH Felton Builders in Oswestry.

Edward joined up in April 1916, possibly as a Derby Scheme recruit. He enlisted in 7 Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. Based on the details in his obituary he seems to have gone over to France and then been taken ill. He was operated on in France and then returned to England for recovery. He returned to duty and spent time at the regimental base depot  before going back to France in a draft to 7 Bn KSLI in January 1918. Edward is recorded as killed in action on 29 April 1918. On this date the battalion was in billets on the outskirts of Bethune. He was more probably wounded a few days before when the battalion were in the line on the Canal de la Lawe. The History of the KSLI describes the place as a ‘most unhealthy spot, full of gas’, over 30 men were evacuated although no deaths were recorded. Edward Sweeney is buried in Sandpits British Cemetery, Fouquereuil. His wife had engraved on his headstone ‘Though lost awhile to Earthly Love, Father in Heaven thy will be done’. He is also commemorated at St Oswald’s Church and at Our Lady and St Oswald’s Church, Oswestry.

Acknowledgements.

References and Sources

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