Alexander Edwards

An extract from "The London Gazette," dated 14 September 1917, recorded the following:

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, killed all the team and captured the gun. Later, when a sniper was causing casualties, he crawled out to stalk him, and although badly wounded in the arm, went on and killed him. 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, Serjt. 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.[1]

On 21 March 1918 the Germans began the ferocious Kaiserschlacht (Spring Offensive) and on 24 March, Edwards was killed and missing in action at Bapaume Wood, east of Arras, France. For three days the Division fought in trenches, then for two days fought stubborn rear-guard actions. During those critical days of March the casualties of the Division numbered 219 officers and 4,666 other ranks, of which 2,714 were missing.

Passchendaele before and after the battle.

Serjeant Edwards is commemorated at Bay 8 on the Arras Memorial.[2]

Edwards was a Freemason being a member of Lodge Pitgaveny, No.681, (Lossiemouth, Moray, Scotland). He is named on a Roll of Honour with the Lodge as follows: 'Sergt. Alex. Edwards V.C. ⅛ [Eighth] Seaforth Highlanders. A local newspaper reported: 'A tablet of Sicilian marble was unveiled on Sunday within the hall of Pigaveny Masonic Lodge, Lossiemouth, by Colonel S. Gair, P.M., [Past Master] Lodge Kilmolymock, [No.45] (Elgin, Moray), to the memory of the 23 brethren who fell in the war. After Colonel Gair drew aside the Union Jack, R.W.M. (Right Worshipful Master) A. Knight read out the names. In his address Colonel Gair referred to the late Sergeant Alex. Edwards, of the Seaforth [Highlanders] V.C., and said one of the memories he retained of France was how, on many a disagreeable and stiff night, Sergeant Edwards used to meet him with a cheerful smile. When the local battalion of the Seaforths was being formed those from Lossiemouth were a splendid detachment, who could not be excelled in their gallantry.[3]

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Regimental Museum of Queen's Own Highlanders in Fort George, Inverness-shire, Scotland.

• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)
• VCs of the First World War - Passchendaele 1917 (Stephen Snelling, 1998)

• Alexander Edwards at Find a Grave
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission