Alexander Edwards
Sergeant, 1st/6th Battalion. Seaforth Highlanders
- Register No.
- 370 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Sergeant all Sergeants →
- Unit
- 1st/6th Battalion. Seaforth Highlanders all Seaforth Highlanders VCs →
- Date of action
- 31 July 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 14th September 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Born
- 4th November 1885 at Lossiemouth, Morayshire, Scotland
- Died
- 24th March 1918 east of Arras, France
- Memorial / grave
- Arras War Memorial
Digest of citation
On 31st July 1917 north of Ypres, Belgium, Sergeant Edwards located a machine gun in a wood, led some men against it, captured the gun and killed all the team. Later, when a sniper was causing casualties, he stalked him and although badly wounded in the arm, went on and killed him. There being only one officer now left with the company, Sergeant Edwards, regardless of his wound, led his men on until the objective was captured. He continued to show great daring particularly in personal reconnaissance and although again wounded twice the next day he still maintained a complete disregard for personal safety
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
EDWARDS, Alexander. (reg No. 370).
Sergeant. 1st/6th Battalion. Seaforth Highlanders.* London Gazetted on 14th September 1917.
Born on 4th November 1885 at Lossiemouth, Morayshire, Scotland.
Died on 24th March 1918 east of Arras, France.
Memorial at Arras War Memorial.
Digest of Citation reads: On 31st July 1917 north of Ypres, Belgium, Sergeant Edwards located a machine gun in a wood, led some men against it, captured the gun and killed all the team. Later, when a sniper was causing casualties, he stalked him and although badly wounded in the arm, went on and killed him. There being only one officer now left with the company, Sergeant Edwards, regardless of his wound, led his men on until the objective was captured. He continued to show great daring particularly in personal reconnaissance and although again wounded twice the next day he still maintained a complete disregard for personal safety.
* Duke of Albany's Ross-shire Buffs.
* Duke of Albany's Ross-shire Buffs.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Arras War Memorial
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