Sgt. Major Harold Edwards
Sgt. Major Harold Leslie Edwards
Harold Edwards was born April 28, 1893 to Joseph and Ella Edwards in Franktown, ON. He was the fourth of eight children including Charles, Dorothy, Florence, Martha, Cora, Maud, and Margaret. They lived beside his grandparents, William and Martha, and Rev. McFarlane's family in Franktown. He served with his brother Laurence. He worked as a chauffeur and an auto mechanic. He was 22 years old when he joined the army on Dec. 1, 1915 and joined the 130th battalion and given regimental number 787002. He was 5'11, dark blue eyes, black hair and Anglican. His character was described as very good. He was insured with SunLife in Smiths Falls. His will from July 28, 1917 was made out to his mother, Mrs. JH Edwards. He was paid $770 and 6 cents for his service. It was noted that he crossed the American border at Niagara Falls, NY on Nov. 2, 1945 for reasons unknown. He died on June 15, 1951.
Harold started with the 130th battalion on Dec 1, 1915 and served here until Sept 23, 1916. He left Canada on the SS Lapland on Sept. 23, 1916 and arrived in England on October 26. He was appointed to Lance Corporal with the 130th battalion on Oct. 9, 1916. He became a private with the 12th battalion. On Nov. 15, 1916, he joined the 38th battalion and went to France. Then on Nov. 23, 1916, he was promoted to corporal. He was shot in the shoulder, leg and chest and hospitalized from April 8, 1917 to Nov. 6 for that gunshot wound. He stayed at Saint Denis hospital until July 26, 1917. He then joined the 38th battalion. On June 14th, he was awarded a military medal for bravery during the battle of Vimy Ridge near Souchez. His official citation stated that Corporal Harold Edwards demonstrated conspicuous gallantry on the early morning of March 26, 1917 near Souchez. On that morning, the Germans blew up a trench dugout using gas trapping ten men inside. Corporal Edwards and three others rushed into the dugout, which was still flaming and succeeded in getting the ten trapped men out. The rescuers had their hair singed and faces burned by the gas. The ten men would have undoubtedly died without this rescue. On October 22, 1917, he joined the RAF. On May 31, 1918, he was discharged at the age of 25. He was a 2nd Lieutenant for the 20th squadron. On Jan. 21, 1919, he came home on the SS Minnedosa. Including his time when he got shot at Vimy Ridge, Harold was also missing the center toe on his left foot. He got his shots from March to July, 1916.
Harold stated his intention to relocate to Toronto after the completion of his medical treatment at St. Andrews Military Hospital in Toronto. He also stated he was living at 70 Beckwith St. Smiths Falls, ON at the time of his enlistment. His pay went to Frank Pratt of Smiths Falls, ON.
By Alison Kitt
Harold Edwards was born April 28, 1893 to Joseph and Ella Edwards in Franktown, ON. He was the fourth of eight children including Charles, Dorothy, Florence, Martha, Cora, Maud, and Margaret. They lived beside his grandparents, William and Martha, and Rev. McFarlane's family in Franktown. He served with his brother Laurence. He worked as a chauffeur and an auto mechanic. He was 22 years old when he joined the army on Dec. 1, 1915 and joined the 130th battalion and given regimental number 787002. He was 5'11, dark blue eyes, black hair and Anglican. His character was described as very good. He was insured with SunLife in Smiths Falls. His will from July 28, 1917 was made out to his mother, Mrs. JH Edwards. He was paid $770 and 6 cents for his service. It was noted that he crossed the American border at Niagara Falls, NY on Nov. 2, 1945 for reasons unknown. He died on June 15, 1951.
Harold started with the 130th battalion on Dec 1, 1915 and served here until Sept 23, 1916. He left Canada on the SS Lapland on Sept. 23, 1916 and arrived in England on October 26. He was appointed to Lance Corporal with the 130th battalion on Oct. 9, 1916. He became a private with the 12th battalion. On Nov. 15, 1916, he joined the 38th battalion and went to France. Then on Nov. 23, 1916, he was promoted to corporal. He was shot in the shoulder, leg and chest and hospitalized from April 8, 1917 to Nov. 6 for that gunshot wound. He stayed at Saint Denis hospital until July 26, 1917. He then joined the 38th battalion. On June 14th, he was awarded a military medal for bravery during the battle of Vimy Ridge near Souchez. His official citation stated that Corporal Harold Edwards demonstrated conspicuous gallantry on the early morning of March 26, 1917 near Souchez. On that morning, the Germans blew up a trench dugout using gas trapping ten men inside. Corporal Edwards and three others rushed into the dugout, which was still flaming and succeeded in getting the ten trapped men out. The rescuers had their hair singed and faces burned by the gas. The ten men would have undoubtedly died without this rescue. On October 22, 1917, he joined the RAF. On May 31, 1918, he was discharged at the age of 25. He was a 2nd Lieutenant for the 20th squadron. On Jan. 21, 1919, he came home on the SS Minnedosa. Including his time when he got shot at Vimy Ridge, Harold was also missing the center toe on his left foot. He got his shots from March to July, 1916.
Harold stated his intention to relocate to Toronto after the completion of his medical treatment at St. Andrews Military Hospital in Toronto. He also stated he was living at 70 Beckwith St. Smiths Falls, ON at the time of his enlistment. His pay went to Frank Pratt of Smiths Falls, ON.
By Alison Kitt