EDWARDS William Dory MM, Sergeant. G/61254.
3/4 Battalion, Later 1st Battalion Queen’s West Surrey Regiment.
Died 2 May 1921.

William Dory Edwards was born at home, 83 Stonefield Road, Hastings, Sussex, on 20 February 1898. (GRO reference: Mar 1898 Hastings 2b 25). William’s parents, William Henry and Sarah Edwards née Toladona (sic) had married on 18 February 1897 in St. Andrews Church, Hastings. William’s mother was of Sephardic Jewish ancestry whose family, at some point, had changed their surname of Toledona to Daniels.

In the1901 census the family was living at 67 Malta Road, Leyton, Essex (now part of Greater London). William was aged 3, his parents, William Henry aged 33 and Sara aged 27 were both working as ‘Itinerant Musicians’. Lodging with them was 48-year-old Richard J. Malins, also an itinerant musician. The family employed 15-year-old ‘Nurse Domestic’ Martha M. E. Cobham, presumably to look after William.

William’s brother Alfred George was born on 19 May 1903 at 39 Cornwallis Road, Walthamstow, Essex. Their mother was recorded as Sarah Edwards, formerly Daniels.

Apart from Alfred who was living with his maternal aunt Rachel in Bedford, none of the family has been found in the 1911 census.

William’s service record has not survived but his medal roll entry tells us that he initially served in the 3/4th Battalion Queens Royal West Surrey regiment. This battalion was formed in Windsor in June 1915 but did not serve in France until June 1917. At some point William was transferred to the 1st battalion.

The battalion War Diary dated 3 April 1918, has a list with the heading:-

“The following Officers, Warrant Officers, N.C.Os and men were brought to notice as having rendered distinguished and gallant services during operations”.

Pte. W. Edwards, 61254, is included in the list.

Between 7 to 29 April 1918 the Germans launched their second grand offensive to try to beat the Allies before the Americans arrived in great numbers. The German offensive had the code name Georgette.

The ‘operations’ referred to above refer to the fighting between the dates of 12 to 14 April 1918 when William’s battalion held the German advance near Meteren, France. The ‘Soldiers Died in the Great War CD’ tells us that 80 other ranks died between 12 to 14 April 1918.

On 13 May 1918 William was again mentioned in the War Diary, having been awarded the Military Medal by the Corps Commander for his part in the fighting around Meteren. The award was announced in the London Gazette dated 29 August 1918. Unfortunately there is no citation for the award.

William was also awarded the British War medal and the Victory medal.

William, aged only 23, died from Pulmonary Tuberculosis on 2 May 1921 in ‘Treryn, Heatherside Road, Ewell’. (GRO reference Jun 1921 Epsom 2a 43 aged 23). His death certificate tells us that he was an Army Pensioner, late Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment, and had previously been a ‘music hall artiste’. His father, of 17 Trinity Church Gate, Wakefield, was the informant.

William is buried in St. Mary’s Churchyard, Ewell.

The gravestone has two lead lettering panels reading as follows:

Top panel:

“Sleep on beloved, sleep on and take thy rest
Lay down thy head upon thy Saviour’s breast.”
“Good night,”
“He died as he lived –brave and loyal to the end.”

Lower panel:

In Loving Memory
of
Our dear son
WILLIAM DORY EDWARDS M.M.
who died on May 2nd 1921
Aged 23 Years.

Records show that William’s mother received an Army pension as a dependent. William’s pension file was officially destroyed on 28 October 1928.

Clive Gilbert & Hazel Ballan 2024