Regimental number: 880793, Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 2844 – 39, Item: 374795, PDF:- B2844-SO39. Date of Birth: 22/04/1881at Bow Commons, London, England. Married to Lydia Edwards, they were living at 209 St. Clair St., Chatham, ON. A teamster / farmer by trade. Vaccinated. Richard had served for four years in the Royal Navy. Attestation: 15/05/15 at Chatham, ON to 186^th Bn.

Apparent age: 35 yrs. 2 mths., Height: 5’ 4 ½ “, Girth: 33”, Complexion: Dark, Eyes: Brown, Hair: Black, Weight:- 130 to 137#, Tattoo – ship on left forearm. “Fit” 15/05/16. At Chatham, ON., Attestation: 27/05/1916. A Teamster.   

Richard and Lydia had eight children: Lydia: 13, Richard: 11, Annie 9,  Helen: 6, John: 4, Edith 2, and David 1month. His parents were deceased. – Covered by Prudential Insurance in England.

Enlisted with the 186^th 17/05/16 – 8/04/17. 27/05/16 to Apl. 7/04/17. 28 March 1917 unit sailed over seas. Embarked Canada at Halifax aboard S.S. Lapland. Debarked at Liverpool, England 7/04/17. 7/06/17 to 2 Can. 6/06/17, 16/06/17 to 18^th Bn. “In Field” 13/06/17. 16/06/17 with the 18^th Bn. In ‘Field’ 13/06/17. – 22/08/17 – 18^th Bn. Wounded by enemy shell bursting on road. Injured 26/08/17 – Transferred to both thighs.

Served with the 4^th Res., 8/04/17 – 4/06/17 in France: 4/06/17 – 23/08/18. With 8^th Bn. served one year 300 days. 18^th Bn. 4/06/17  to 8/08/17 . Reserve Bn. 8/04/17 to 4/06/17 

Richard was in the Ontario Military Hospital 26/08/17 to 10/10/17. He had been wounded in both Thighs  – Cdn. Convalescent Hospital at Bromley, Kent  10/10/17 – 4/12/17 GSW – Thighs.

Private R. C. Edwards proceeded to England March 22nd, 1917, and after training at Bramshott, crossed to France June 5th, 1917, transferring to the 18th. Battalion. After taking part in the Battle of Lens and  several bombing raids, he received gunshot wounds in both thighs, August 18th, 1917, and was admitted to NO.4 General 21st. He was sent for convalescence November 5th, to Massey Harris Home, Dulwich, and transferred to the W.O.R.D. Casualty Depot, Bramshott, December 4th. and from there to Buxton, December 17th. Private Edwards left for Canada February 2nd, 1918, arriving in Chatham February 18th.

1917 22-8 No. 22 General Hosp. Camiers Shrapnel – Thighs 4/09 – 4/12 Discharged.  GSW of right Thigh near his hip which just grazed from the Femur. The leg was weak and considerable tenderness flexing the right knee ( “Richard complains of cough and tightness of chest but there is no evidence of lung trouble. Richard cannot walk five miles and is not likely to be raised in category within six months”). Casualty No. 1 27/05/18 to 6/03/18 O/S. Shrapnel in France 2 shrapnel scars 2” long on right thigh external surface.    

31/01/18 Embarked for Canada from Liverpool. Discharged 11/03/18. Dependents address: Mrs. S. Edwards at Chatham, ON. Sailed for Canada 11/02/18.  

Private R. C. Edwards was discharged March 11th, 1918, due to disability caused from gunshot wounds in both thighs. 

1918 – Discharged 11/03/18

90 days discharge pay of $160.00 from the Pay Master. A & B Class badge 11 March 1918 – Category B111

It was reported Richard Cox Edwards was deceased: 13 June, 1956.

  

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

INFORMATION FROM BOOKS OF REMEMBRANCE

Awards	Distinguished Conduct Medal
Sources	IODE, RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 2844 - 39, Chatham Daily Planet (04-09-1917), Chatham Daily Planet (19-02-1918), LAC

Height	5' 4 1/2"
Weight	130 lbs. to 137 lbs. lbs
Eye Colour	Brown
Age	35 yrs. 2 mths.
Complexion	Dark
Hair	Black
Race	White
Birthplace	22/04/1881at Bow Commons, London, England
Religion	Anglican
Last Place of Employment	Teaming
Average Earnings	$24.00 per week
Marital Status	Married
Marriage Info	September 22nd, 1902, London, Ontario
When Enlisted	May 15th, 1916
Where Enlisted	Chatham, Ontario
Allowance from Patriotic Fund	$30.00 per month
Next of Kin	Wife- Mrs. Lydia V. Edwards, Chatham, Children- Richard F. Edwards, Annie L. Edwards, Helen E. Edwards, John E. Edwards, Edith M. Edwards, William D. Edwards

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