Military Medal
Edward was born in around 1880 in Manchester. He was named after his father and his mother was called Sarah Jane. We don't know anything else about his early life or family.
The First World War broke out in August 1914 and Edward joined the Army in around June 1915. He joined the 7th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment, which was a Territorial Force unit based on Burlington Street in Manchester. Soldiers serving with units of the Territorial Force were given new service numbers in around March 1917. Edward's became 276424. We don't know his old number.
We don't believe Edward left the UK before the new service numbers were allocated. When he did arrive in France he joined the 1/7th Battalion, although we don't know when this was. They served on the old Somme battleground at Epehy and Havrincourt during the summer of 1917, before moving north to Ypres in Belgium during late August.
The battalion guarded the North Sea coast at Nieuwpoort whilst the Passchendaele Offensive was fought around Ypres. They returned to France in November and were stationed around Bethune. By this time Edward had been promoted to Lance Corporal.
The Germans launched a major offensive on the 21st March aimed at defeating the Allies before American soldiers could join the war against them. The 1/7th Battalion was in the rear when the German attacks began, but they were quickly organised and rushed to the front line between the villages of Ablainzeville and Courcelles. By the morning of the 25th they were in position.
The Germans attacked several times that day, the battalion fought them off but they were forced to withdraw to the village of Bucquoy. They held their positions there until the 28th when they were withdrawn from the front.
During this fighting Edward carried out an act of great bravery. He was awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette of the 16th July. Unfortunately there is no citation with his award, so we don't know what he did to earn it.
Edward would never wear his medal. He had been wounded during the German attacks. He was evacuated to the 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital based in the town of Doullens, but his wounds were too severe and he died on the 27th March. He was 38 years old.
Edward was buried in Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension Number 1, along with 1345 other men. His grave reference is V. E. 32. As well as his Military Medal, Edward was also awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his Army service.
