The O'Leary Collection—Medals of The Royal Canadian Regiment

823467 Private Henry William Edwards, M.M.

7th Regiment "Fusiliers"
142nd Overseas Battalion (London's Own)
1st Canadian Infantry Battalion

By: Capt (ret'd) Michael M. O'Leary, CD, The RCR

Henry William Edwards was born in London, England, on 24 Sep 1872. Having emigrated to Canada, Edwards (age 39) and his wife Alice (38) are shown in the 1911 Canadian Census for Walkerville, Ontario. The couple have three children at home; Alice F. (12), Ethel (10), and Henry John (9).

Edwards attested for service in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (C.E.F.) with the 142nd Overseas Battalion (London's Own) at London, Ont., on 4 Jan 1916. A 44-year-old carpenter, Edwards was described on his attestation paper as 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 119 pounds, with a 33 1/4-inch chest, a fair complexion, blue eyes, and dark brown hair. Edwards claimed six months prior service with the 7th Regiment, Fusiliers, which was the local Militia infantry regiment in London. His religious denomination was Church of England. Edwards identified his wife, Alice Edwards, as his next of kin, with her address recorded as 41 Wreay St., London, Ont. A Particulars of Family form completed on 18 Oct 1916 recorded that the couple had three children; Henry John (14), Alice May (17), and Ethel (15).

On attesting with the 142nd Battalion, Edwards was given the regimental number 823467. The 142nd (London's Own) Battalion, C.E.F. was based in London, Ont., where the unit began recruiting in late 1915. After sailing to England in November 1916, the battalion was absorbed into the 23rd Reserve Battalion, C.E.F. on 11 Nov 1916.

Commencing November, 1916, Edwards established a monthly Pay Assignment of $20 to be sent to his wife. As a Private in the C.E.F., Edwards was paid $1.00 per day play an additional ten cents daily field allowance. His pay assignment represented about two-thirds of his monthly pay. Alice Edwards also received $20 monthted battalions in France and Flanders.

Struck off the strength of the Overseas Military Forces of Canada (O.M.F.C.) on sailing for Canada on 14 Apr 1919. On sailing, he was taken on the strength of No. 2 District Depot, Toronto, Ont.

On 23 Apr 1919, Edwards was struck off the strength of the C.E.F. at No. 2 District Depot, Toronto, Ont. (Edwards' unit on his Discharge documents is erroneously recorded as "1st Battalion, Canadian Engineers, probably a misconstrued combining of 1st [Canadian Infantry] Battalion, and the belief that the C.R.T. was an Engineer unit.) He was issued a Class "A" War Service badge, number 286102. Edwards' intended place of residence was the family home on Wreay Street in London, Ont. On 23 May 1919, this was later changed in his records to 71 Emery St, London, Ont.

Edwards was entitled to a War Service Gratuity of $420. In addition to this, Alice received a further subsidy of $180. These were paid to them in installments between May and September, 1919.

Henry William Edwards was gazetted in the London Gazette, Issue No. 31430, dated 3 Jul 1919, as a recipient of the Military Medal. Awards with Gazette dates this late are usually attributed to the fast paces warfare of the final months of the war: Canada's 100 Days. Unfortunately, citations for Military Medals awarded late in the war have rarely survived.

For his service in the C.E.F., Edwards was entitled to receive, in addition to his Military Medal, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. These were despatched to him at 225 Cathcart St., London, Ont., on 18 Oct 1922.

Henry William Edwards died on 27 Jun 1952. The cause of his death was recorded as acute coronary sclerosis, which was not attributed to his wartime service. He is buried in Woodland Cemetery, London, Ont. The veteran's death card held by Library and Archives Canada notes that his next of kin at the time of his death was his daughter, Mrs. Alice Woods, 433 Burbank St., London, Ont.

Pro Patria

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