Robert Henry Edwards
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
An unusual twist occurred in the life of Robert Henry Edwards. He was born in Beeston, Nottingham in 1886, being named and registered with the surname ‘Parr’. This would be expected as his parents were called Robert and Mercy Parr. He was their only son as all their other children were girls, Martha, Mercy, Eliza, Lilian and Isabella all named Parr. It was around 1890 that the family arrived in Worksop and took residence at 15 Crown Terrace and Robert Parr secured a job as a groom. It was sometime in the following decade, that for reasons unknown, that Robert Parr changed both Christian and surname to George Edwards. When the 1901 census was taken, the family had moved to 38 Moorgate, Retford, and had changed the family name from Parr, to Edwards. Whilst living at Retford, both father and son, Robert, were recorded with their strange occupation as rat and rabbit catcher. In 1902 George, now Edwards, died at the age of 50. It was after this event that all Robert’s 5 sisters married between 1904 and 1917, 3 of them using the name ‘Parr’ on registration. Robert, himself, married a bride from Worksop called Annie Lawrie, at St Johns church Worksop, on the 25th Jan 1906. In 1911 they were living at 74 Kilton Road, working as a groom, gardener, and had had two children but both had died in infancy.
Sgt Robert Henry Edwards Worksop Guardian 27 June 1919 Even in these days of comparative peace, it is our sad duty to chronicle the death of yet another gallant son of Worksop – one who after bearing the “heat and burden of the day,” and after winning honour on the battle field, has now, in the eleventh hour so to speak, laid down his life for his country he served so well. Official news was received in Worksop on Friday of the death in action, just before the Armistice, of 6702 Sergt Robert Henry Edwards, Notts and Derby Regiment (Sherwood Foresters), husband of Mrs A Edwards of 15 Grafton Street, Worksop. The gallant soldier was reported wounded and missing on October 15th 1918, and now comes the belated news of his death on or about that date. Sergeant Edwards was a reservist, and on the outbreak of hostilities was ordered to rejoin the colours. This he did in September 1914. He was posted to the 11th Sherwoods, a Battalion that has done a great deal of very useful work during the war. He quickly gained promotion, and was soon enabled to see active service. First he proceeded to France, thence to Italy and afterwards to France again, where his unfortunate death took place. He was ultimately appointed transport sergeant, a position, which every brave soldier knows, is no sinecure. Night after night he proceeded ‘up the line,’ taking rations and ammunition to the men in the trenches, and his mates say he displayed and absolute disregard of danger. For a particularly brave piece of work in June 1918, he was awarded the Military Medal, though the fact has never been made public before. The official record of the circumstances under which the honour was awarded, is well worth quoting, showing as it does, the courage, bravery and initiative of the gallant NCO:- “For most conspicuous courage and devotion to duty on June 15th 1918, this Non Commissioned Officer, as Transport Sergeant, carried up water and rations for the Battalion under heavy artillery fire, and personally saw they were delivered to Companies in the firing line as usual. Hearing that small arms ammunition was running short in the line, he returned to Battalion Headquarters, loaded up with S.A.A. some of his pack mules and then returned with them to the front line.” Sergt Edwards was a splendid man and a splendid soldier, one who we could ill afford to lose. Previous to rejoining the army, he was a groom in the private employ of the late Mr Sam Hoggard and will be remembered by many friends in Worksop. Mrs Edwards has received a letter of sympathy from their Majesties, the King and Queen, sympathising with her in her sorrow, and our readers, we are sure, will join us in expressing sincere sympathy with Mrs Edwards and the members of the family, in the irreparable loss which they have sustained. From R H Edwards service record Robert was attested at Worksop on the 5th September 1914 and on the 26th August he sailed from Southampton to France, arriving in France on the 27th. After time here he went to Italy and then back to France. He was reported missing on the 5th October 1918 and was reported as killed on or near the 5th October for official purposes. His wife was notified and later was awarded a pension of 16/3d per week as from 9/6/1919. Four months later, a letter went to his wife, the contents as follows:- Copy of a letter from Officer i/c records, Lichfield 19/10/1919 “With reference to No. 6702 Serjeant R H Edwards M M , 11th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters, who was presumed to have died “on or since 5th October 1918” . a report has been received on a Certificate of Death from Prisoner of War Base at Limburg, that he died as a Prisoner of War in Field Hospital 20*, at Landrecies on 11th October 1918 from Pneumonia. Two copies of the certificate are enclosed, one for transmission to the relatives”. It appears from this communication that he did not die on the 5th October but was taken prisoner and died from pneumonia on the 11th October, 6 days later.
Commeorated on the Cross Roads Cemetery Fontaine-Au-Bois, France. Research by Colin Dannatt
