| Other Info | The photo above shows him as a 2nd Lieutenant just after he was commissioned as an officer with the Gloucestershire Regiment.
He died after the war ended in Brightside Nursing Home, Manby Road, Malvern on 21st May 1921 from the effects of being gassed.
HIS CITATION for the D.C.M. reads:
240492 Sjt. W. E. Edwards, Worc. (London Gazette 18 June 1917) "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He assumed command of his platoon and in the face of heavy fire at short range succeeded in gaining his objective. He was largely responsible for the success of the operation".
THE REGIMENTAL HISTORY DESCRIBES THE EVENTS: TEMPLEUX-LE-GOERARD.
Shortly after midnight (the early hours of the 5th April 1917) the l/8th Worcestershire set out from Hamel, and reached Templeux-le- Guerard just before the hour fixed for the attack. There was very little time for reconnaissance, but the Company officers went forward to see what they could, and made hasty plans under a sharp sniping fire. One of the runners who accompanied the officers, Pte. G. W. Jelfs, showed great courage and although severely
wounded obtained valuable information. He was awarded the D.C.M. At 4.45 a.m. the British artillery opened a bombardment and the enemy's guns replied. In darkness lit only by bursting shells, the Battalion deployed and advanced through the village. ‘B’ Company took post in the centre, ‘A’ Company on the right, while ‘C’ Company moved to the left to attack the north-eastern face of the Mound. ‘D’ Company was in reserve.
‘A’ Company detached a platoon, under Lieut. J. T, Hill, to the cross-roads at the eastern end of the village. There they came under fire at short range from the crest of the mound, while from the right they were shelled by hostile guns from Malakoff Farm; but they hung on and put up a most gallant fight.
‘B’ Company, led by Captain J. P. Bate, scaled the slope of the Mound, closely followed by the remaining platoons of ‘A’ Company. The top was found to be not flat but split by several chasms — the quarries — from the far side of which the enemy fired rapidly. The enemy positions were taken one after the other by turning movements skilfully executed by ‘C’ Company (Under Captain C. R. Pawsey) from the left and by ‘A’ Company from the right, while ‘B’ Company worked forward across the quarries.
Casualties were numerous. Two of the platoon officers were hit, but Sergt. W. E. Edwards and Corpl. H. Gisbourne took command of the two platoons and led them onwards. As daylight grew the German resistance weakened and soon the enemy were in full and rapid retreat. By 8 a.m. the Mound was completely cleared and the work of entrenching it was in progress, under an intermittent shell-fire. The assault on the last enemy position was led by Captain C. R. Pawsey, who personally captured two unwounded prisoners. Further to the left it could be seen that the 145th Brigade had captured Ronssoy, Basse Boulogne and Lempire.
That afternoon the l/8th Worcestershire were relieved by the troops of the 59th Division and
marched back triumphant, to receive hearty congratulations on their exploit. The enemy's position on the Mound had been regarded as very formidable, and the success was gratifying. Luck and skilful leading (c) had resulted in a casualty list which was small in view of the gain One officer (2/Lt. R. F. Amphlett) and 11 men killed, one officer (2/Lt. W. H. Reynolds) and 37 men wounded.The following day was celebrated as a complete holiday.
For their brilliant leading Captain J. P. Bate (‘B’ Company) and Captain C. R. Pawsey (‘C’ Company) both received a bar to their Military Cross. Sgt. W. E. Edwards and Cpl. H. Gisbourne both received the D.C.M. and eight N.C.O's. and men received the M.M.
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