Three: Lance-Corporal C. Edwards, Royal Fusiliers, late Oxfordshire Light Infantry, killed in action at Soupir, 27 September 1914

1914 Star, with clasp (L-15512 Pte C. Edwards. 1/R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (L-15512 Pte. C. Edwards. R. Fus.) the latter two in named card boxes of issue, nearly extremely fine (3) £200-240

Charles Harold Edwards was born in 1887 in Naphill, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. He served during the Great War with the 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers on the Western Front from 7 September 1914, and was killed in action at Soupir during the Battle of the Aisne on 27 September 1914. The Royal Fusiliers in the Great War records the action as follows:

‘Meanwhile the 1st Battalion under Lieut.-Colonel R. Fowler-Butler had reached the Aisne and made their debut in the war. They were in Ireland on August 4th, but by mid- August had arrived at Cambridge, and reached St. Nazaire during the advance to the Aisne. They left Courcelles two days before the 4th Battalion went into billets there, on relief after their tenure of the Rouge Maison salient. On the 21st, as the latter battalion were coming out of the line for a rest, they marched from Dhuizel to trenches north of Soupir, via Vieil Arcy, St. Mard, Cys and Chavonne. The brigade (17th) front stretched between the canal at Fort de Metz and the road at La Cour de Soupir. At the latter place lay the Leinsters, with the Royal Fusiliers on their right. Their first tour of the trenches was comparatively uneventful. On the part of the line where they lay the periodical rumour that the Germans were abandoning their positions resulted in the only casualties suffered in the first acquaintance with the enemy. Where the 4th Battalion had stood, it was quite evident that the Germans were still in possession, and, indeed, even on the Soupir section the 1st Battalion were sufficiently certified of the enemy's tenure of the trenches 300 yards distant by observation from the branches of a tree. But some of the higher powers proved sceptical, and patrols were ordered out. On the night of the 22nd Captain Howlett was wounded, and 2 other ranks were killed, 13 wounded, and 3 missing after one of these feelers. A daylight patrol on the 27th resulted in 17 other ranks being killed and 12 wounded.’

Edwards, along with his 16 comrades killed on 27 September 1914, has no known grave and is commemorated on La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial, France. He is additionally commemorated on the High Wycombe Memorial Hospital Plaque. His obituary appeared in the local press, as follows:

‘On Saturday morning last, Mr. and Mrs. A. Edwards, of 31, Brook Street, High Wycombe, were officially notified by the War Office that their son, Lance Corporal C. H. Edwards, of the 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers, had been killed in action on September 27th. For some years deceased was attached to the 3rd Oxfordshire Light Infantry, in which regiment he held the rank of Corporal. About eighteen months ago, he was transferred as a Private in the 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers. Just before his death he was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. Deceased, who was 27 years of age, was well known and much respected in Wycombe. We are sure that general sympathy will be extended to Mr. and Mrs. Edwards in the loss they have sustained. Lord Kitchener has written to the bereaved parents as follows: "The King commands me to assure of the true sympathy of His Majesty and the Queen in your sorrow.". Our photograph is from a group taken when deceased was 17 years of age, and attached to the 3rd Oxfordshire Light Infantry, better known as the Royal Bucks (King's Own) Militia.’

Sold together with copied research including newspaper photograph and obituary.

Note: Edwards’ British War and Victory Medals were returned to Medal Office in February 1924 and re-issued in 1927 (Medal Index Card refers).