During The First World War, the 51st Highland Division fought in many major battles. Our Battlefield Tours visit a number sites where this Division fought such as Beaumont Hamel, Ypres, Cambrai and Arras as part of the German Spring offensives. One family features in all these battles; Captain George Eric Edwards DSO and Sergeant Alexander Edwards VC were cousins, were both in the 1/6th Seaforth Highlanders and both fought with distinction.
Captain George Edwards was awarded the DSO for acts of heroism at Beaumont Hamel during the closing days of The Battle of the Somme. The Battalion War Diary for 13 November 1916 describes how the then Lieutenant Edwards advanced through the British barrage to reach his objectives. With only six men, he called for the Germans sheltering in a cave to surrender and also captured the whole of the German staff. His commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel said, ‘But for the bravery of Lieutenant G.E. Edwards, the 51st Division would probably have failed in November 1916 to take Beaumont Hamel’.
During The First World War, the 51st Highland Division fought in many major battles. Our Battlefield Tours visit a number sites where this Division fought such as Beaumont Hamel, Ypres, Cambrai and Arras as part of the German Spring offensives. One family features in all these battles; Captain George Eric Edwards DSO and Sergeant Alexander Edwards VC were cousins, were both in the 1/6th Seaforth Highlanders and both fought with distinction.
Captain George Edwards was awarded the DSO for acts of heroism at Beaumont Hamel during the closing days of The Battle of the Somme. The Battalion War Diary for 13 November 1916 describes how the then Lieutenant Edwards advanced through the British barrage to reach his objectives. With only six men, he called for the Germans sheltering in a cave to surrender and also captured the whole of the German staff. His commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel said, ‘But for the bravery of Lieutenant G.E. Edwards, the 51st Division would probably have failed in November 1916 to take Beaumont Hamel’.
Captain George Eric Edwards
Captain Edwards fought at The Battle of Cambrai and was killed in action on 27 November 1917. His death is recorded in the book ‘Cambrai 1917’ through the words of 2nd Lieutenant Wilfred Bion, ‘E’ Battalion (Edward 11), Tank Corps:
‘I reported to the Seaforth captain, Edwards, who appeared to be the only officer left in his company. While I was talking to him in the trench there was the loud crack of a near bullet. He fell forward and I saw blood and brains bulge out of the back of his skull.’
Captain George Eric Edwards is buried in Orival Wood Cemetery along with many other Seaforth Highlanders.
Sergeant Alexander Edwards VC was the cousin of Captain George Edwards. He was awarded the VC following outstanding heroism at The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. His citation describes the action:
‘For most conspicuous bravery in attack, when, having located a hostile machine gun in a wood, he, with great dash and courage, led some men against it, and captured the gun. One officer only was now left with the company, and, realising that the success of the operation depended on the capture of the furthest objective, Sergeant Edwards, regardless of his wound, led his men on till this objective was captured. He subsequently showed great skill in consolidating his position, and very great daring in personal reconnaissance. Although again twice wounded on the following day, this very gallant N.C.O. maintained throughout a complete disregard for personal safety, and his high example of coolness and determination engendered a fine fighting spirit in his men.’
Sergeant Alexander Edwards VC
Sergeant Edwards lost his life during the German Spring offences. On 24 March 1918 at Loupart Wood near Arras he was reported missing; he is commemorated on the Arras Memorial to the Missing.