Lance Corporal Sydney Edwards (Reedham), 9th Norfolks KiA 1916
This picture appeared in the edition of the Eastern Daily Press dated Tuesday, February 29, 1916, along with the caption
“LANCE-CORPORAL S. EDWARDS,
9th Norfolks
Killed in action in France this month.
He was a native of Reedham.”
Lance Corporal EDWARDS, S L R
Service Number:…………………. 17466
Died:……………………………… 01/02/1916
Unit:……………………………….9th Bn. Norfolk Regiment
Buried at WHITE HOUSE CEMETERY, ST. JEAN-LES-YPRES
Location: West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Cemetery/memorial reference: I. F. 25.
Source: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/454535/edwards,-/
Soldiers Died in the Great War records that Lance Corporal 17466 Sydney Lewis Ronald Edwards, was Killed in Action on the 1st February 1916 while serving in France & Flanders with the 9th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment.
He was born Reedham and enlisted Norwich. No place of residence is shown.
The Medal Index Card for Lance Corporal 17466 Sidney L R Edwards, Norfolk Regiment is held at the National Archive under reference WO 372/6/173570
Source: discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D2717150
He qualified for the 1915 Star. The British War Medal and the Victory Medal. The card shows him in the 9th Battalion. He first landed in France on the 4th October 1915. The card is noted that he was Killed in Action on the 1st February 1916. Both the 1915 Star Service Medal Roll and the Victory Medal & British War Medal Service Medal Roll show him as Sidney Lewis Ronald Edwards. The latter medal roll only shows him serving with the 9th Battalion.
His Service Records do not appear to have survived the incendiary attack during the Blitz on the Warehouse where all the Other Ranks Army Service Records were stored.
No match on Picture Norfolk, the County Image Archive.
The Government Probate Service holds a Soldiers Will for 17466 Sidney Lewis Ronald Edwards who died on the 1st February 1916.
probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Wills?Surname=Edwards&Su...
The Army Register of Soldiers’ Effects records that he died in France or Belgium on the 1st February 1916 whilst serving with the 9th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. The balance of his pay was sent to his widow and sole legatee, Edith A., in April 1916. She would also receive his War Gratuity when this was paid out in August 1919.
1886 – Birth……………..
The birth of a Sidney Lewis R. Edwards was registered with the Civil Authorities in the Mutford District of Suffolk in the July to September quarter, (Q3), of 1886.
At that time Mutford District stretched up the coast from Lowestoft as far as Gorleston which was then on the Suffolk side of the County Line.
1891 Census of England and Wales
The 4 year old Sydney Edwards, born Gorleston, Suffolk, was recorded living at the Berney Arms Railway Station, Reedham. This was the household of his grandparents, William Edwards, (aged 61, a Railway Platelayer, born Hempnall, Norfolk), and Harriet Edwards, (aged 62, born Kirstead, Norfolk). Also in the household are their unmarried children, Thomas, (aged 27, a Railway Signalman, born Reedham) and Eliza, (aged 21, born Reedham), and two of their grand-daughters, Harriet, (2) and Maude, (9 months) – both born Reedham.
1901 Census of England and Wales
The 14 year old Sidney Edwards, born Gorleston, and with no occupation shown, was recorded living in a dwelling ‘By the Railway’, Wickhampton, Norfolk. This was the household of his step-father, Robert Smith, (aged 31, a Railway Platelayer, born Reedham) and his mother Eliza Smith, (aged 32, born Berney Arms, Norfolk). Robert Smith has two other step-children living with him – Harriet Edwards, (12) and Maud Edwards, (10) – both born Berney Arms. Finally , also in the household is Roberts’ widower father-in-law, William Edwards, (aged 72 and a Railway Platelayer, born Reedham).
1904 – Marriage……………………..
The marriage of a Sidney Lewis Edwards to an Edith Alice Beck was recorded in the Blofield District in Q4 of 1904.
1911 Census of England and Wales
The 24 year old “Sidney” Edwards, a Labourer on Farm, born “Berney Arms, Norfolk”, was recorded as the married head of the household of a dwelling recorded as “Near Low Farm”, Reedham. He lives there with his wife of six years, Edith, (aged 24 and born Reedham). The couple have had two children so far, but only one was with them on the night of the census – the 2 year old William, born Reedham.
Until September 1911 the quarterly index published by the General Registrars Office did not show information about the mothers’ maiden name. A check of the General Registrars Office Index of Birth for England and Wales 1911 – 1983 shows potentially two additional children of Sydney and Edith – both recorded in the Blofield District with mothers’ maiden name Beck.
Sidney N Edwards………..Q1 1912
Bernard G Edwards………Q4 1914
It has not proved possible to identify the second child who was away from home on the night of the 1911 Census.
1907 – 1915 – Norfolk Register of Electors
A ‘Sidney Dewis Ronald Edwards’ first appears on the 1907 edition of the Registers, which would reflect that he was then coming up to his 21st birthday. He was entitled to vote in Parliamentary, County Council and Civil Parish elections as he was the (male) householder of a dwelling house at The Hill, Reedham. That spelling of his name appears on all subsequent editions.
1907 Edition: www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2HYG-2BM
1908 Edition: www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2CMK-1JZ
The 1909 edition is noted that he has moved from The Hill to Near Low Farm. There was a residency period qualification before someone could vote, which would be waived if it was as a result of a move and where entitlement to vote was continuous. Hence the electoral registers of the period are noted in the first year after the move of both addresses.
1909 Edition: www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2HYP-CNS
1910 Edition: www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2CMC-FJG
1911 Edition: www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2CML-598
1912 Edition: www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2CMD-9VJ
1913 Edition: www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2H15-9NZ
1914 Edition: www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2CMN-NKK
1915 Edition: www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2H1W-F8C
Production of the 1916 & 1917 Electoral Registers were suspended across the UK.
On the day…………………………………
WHITE HOUSE CEMETERY, ST. JEAN-LES-YPRES
Location Information
The Cemetery is located north-east of Ieper on the Brugseweg (N313) in the direction of Roeselare/Brugge.
History Information
White House Cemetery was begun in March 1915 and used until April 1918 by units holding this part of the line. It then comprised most of the present Plots I and II; but after the Armistice these Plots were completed, and III and IV added, when graves were brought in from the battlefields around Ypres (now Ieper) and from a number of small burial grounds
Source: www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/52400/white-house-c...
31st January 1916 – Battalion War Diary
St JEAN L. Section.
Relieved 1st Leicesters on night 31/1. Relief completed at 10.40 P.M.
Distribution
B 11.12.13…………A Coy….4 Officers…..162 O.R.
S 12………….D Coy 2 Pl……3 Officers……69 O.R.
X 8…………..D Coy 2Pl…….1 Officers……82 O.R.
SE JEAN Defences C Coy 2 Pl…1 Officers……60 O.R
CANAL BANK…..B Coy 2 Pl…5 Officers……126 O.R.
CANAL BANK…..C Coy 2 Pl…2 Officers……92 O.R.
1st February 1916 – Battalion War Diary
St JEAN L. Section.
Fine, v. quiet day. Redistribution of line.
B.11. B.12…………A Coy 3 Platoons
S.12.A……………..A Coy 1 Platoons
X.8…………………D Coy 1 Platoons
St. JEAN Defences…C Coy 2 Platoons
CONGREVE ROAD.D Coy 2 Platoons
CANAL BANK…….B Coy 4 Platoons
CANAL BANK…….C Coy 2 Platoons
CANAL BANK…….D Coy 1 Platoons
Relief complete at 10.50 P.M. night of 1 / 2,
2 Lt E. CUMBERLAND and 7 O.R. on leave.
2nd February 1916 – Battalion War Diary
St JEAN L. Section.
Fine but cloudy, quiet day. Casualties 4 Killed 2 Wounded. O.R.
Mildy photoshop to reduce impact of damage present on the original image"
Lance Corporal Sydney Edwards (Reedham), 9th Norfolks KiA 1916
This picture appeared in the edition of the Eastern Daily Press dated Tuesday, February 29, 1916, along with the caption
“LANCE-CORPORAL S. EDWARDS,
9th Norfolks
Killed in action in France this month.
He was a native of Reedham.”
Lance Corporal EDWARDS, S L R
Service Number:…………………. 17466
Died:……………………………… 01/02/1916
Unit:……………………………….9th Bn. Norfolk Regiment
Buried at WHITE HOUSE CEMETERY, ST. JEAN-LES-YPRES
Location: West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Cemetery/memorial reference: I. F. 25.
Source: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/454535/edwards,-/
Soldiers Died in the Great War records that Lance Corporal 17466 Sydney Lewis Ronald Edwards, was Killed in Action on the 1st February 1916 while serving in France & Flanders with the 9th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment.
He was born Reedham and enlisted Norwich. No place of residence is shown.
The Medal Index Card for Lance Corporal 17466 Sidney L R Edwards, Norfolk Regiment is held at the National Archive under reference WO 372/6/173570
Source: discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D2717150
He qualified for the 1915 Star. The British War Medal and the Victory Medal. The card shows him in the 9th Battalion. He first landed in France on the 4th October 1915. The card is noted that he was Killed in Action on the 1st February 1916. Both the 1915 Star Service Medal Roll and the Victory Medal & British War Medal Service Medal Roll show him as Sidney Lewis Ronald Edwards. The latter medal roll only shows him serving with the 9th Battalion.
His Service Records do not appear to have survived the incendiary attack during the Blitz on the Warehouse where all the Other Ranks Army Service Records were stored.
No match on Picture Norfolk, the County Image Archive.
The Government Probate Service holds a Soldiers Will for 17466 Sidney Lewis Ronald Edwards who died on the 1st February 1916.
probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Wills?Surname=Edwards&Su...
The Army Register of Soldiers’ Effects records that he died in France or Belgium on the 1st February 1916 whilst serving with the 9th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. The balance of his pay was sent to his widow and sole legatee, Edith A., in April 1916. She would also receive his War Gratuity when this was paid out in August 1919.
1886 – Birth……………..
The birth of a Sidney Lewis R. Edwards was registered with the Civil Authorities in the Mutford District of Suffolk in the July to September quarter, (Q3), of 1886.
At that time Mutford District stretched up the coast from Lowestoft as far as Gorleston which was then on the Suffolk side of the County Line.
1891 Census of England and Wales
The 4 year old Sydney Edwards, born Gorleston, Suffolk, was recorded living at the Berney Arms Railway Station, Reedham. This was the household of his grandparents, William Edwards, (aged 61, a Railway Platelayer, born Hempnall, Norfolk), and Harriet Edwards, (aged 62, born Kirstead, Norfolk). Also in the household are their unmarried children, Thomas, (aged 27, a Railway Signalman, born Reedham) and Eliza, (aged 21, born Reedham), and two of their grand-daughters, Harriet, (2) and Maude, (9 months) – both born Reedham.
1901 Census of England and Wales
The 14 year old Sidney Edwards, born Gorleston, and with no occupation shown, was recorded living in a dwelling ‘By the Railway’, Wickhampton, Norfolk. This was the household of his step-father, Robert Smith, (aged 31, a Railway Platelayer, born Reedham) and his mother Eliza Smith, (aged 32, born Berney Arms, Norfolk). Robert Smith has two other step-children living with him – Harriet Edwards, (12) and Maud Edwards, (10) – both born Berney Arms. Finally , also in the household is Roberts’ widower father-in-law, William Edwards, (aged 72 and a Railway Platelayer, born Reedham).
1904 – Marriage……………………..
The marriage of a Sidney Lewis Edwards to an Edith Alice Beck was recorded in the Blofield District in Q4 of 1904.
1911 Census of England and Wales
The 24 year old “Sidney” Edwards, a Labourer on Farm, born “Berney Arms, Norfolk”, was recorded as the married head of the household of a dwelling recorded as “Near Low Farm”, Reedham. He lives there with his wife of six years, Edith, (aged 24 and born Reedham). The couple have had two children so far, but only one was with them on the night of the census – the 2 year old William, born Reedham.
Until September 1911 the quarterly index published by the General Registrars Office did not show information about the mothers’ maiden name. A check of the General Registrars Office Index of Birth for England and Wales 1911 – 1983 shows potentially two additional children of Sydney and Edith – both recorded in the Blofield District with mothers’ maiden name Beck.
Sidney N Edwards………..Q1 1912
Bernard G Edwards………Q4 1914
It has not proved possible to identify the second child who was away from home on the night of the 1911 Census.
1907 – 1915 – Norfolk Register of Electors
A ‘Sidney Dewis Ronald Edwards’ first appears on the 1907 edition of the Registers, which would reflect that he was then coming up to his 21st birthday. He was entitled to vote in Parliamentary, County Council and Civil Parish elections as he was the (male) householder of a dwelling house at The Hill, Reedham. That spelling of his name appears on all subsequent editions.
1907 Edition: www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2HYG-2BM
1908 Edition: www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2CMK-1JZ
The 1909 edition is noted that he has moved from The Hill to Near Low Farm. There was a residency period qualification before someone could vote, which would be waived if it was as a result of a move and where entitlement to vote was continuous. Hence the electoral registers of the period are noted in the first year after the move of both addresses.
1909 Edition: www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2HYP-CNS
1910 Edition: www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2CMC-FJG
1911 Edition: www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2CML-598
1912 Edition: www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2CMD-9VJ
1913 Edition: www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2H15-9NZ
1914 Edition: www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2CMN-NKK
1915 Edition: www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2H1W-F8C
Production of the 1916 & 1917 Electoral Registers were suspended across the UK.
On the day…………………………………
WHITE HOUSE CEMETERY, ST. JEAN-LES-YPRES
Location Information
The Cemetery is located north-east of Ieper on the Brugseweg (N313) in the direction of Roeselare/Brugge.
History Information
White House Cemetery was begun in March 1915 and used until April 1918 by units holding this part of the line. It then comprised most of the present Plots I and II; but after the Armistice these Plots were completed, and III and IV added, when graves were brought in from the battlefields around Ypres (now Ieper) and from a number of small burial grounds
Source: www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/52400/white-house-c...
31st January 1916 – Battalion War Diary
St JEAN L. Section.
Relieved 1st Leicesters on night 31/1. Relief completed at 10.40 P.M.
Distribution
B 11.12.13…………A Coy….4 Officers…..162 O.R.
S 12………….D Coy 2 Pl……3 Officers……69 O.R.
X 8…………..D Coy 2Pl…….1 Officers……82 O.R.
SE JEAN Defences C Coy 2 Pl…1 Officers……60 O.R
CANAL BANK…..B Coy 2 Pl…5 Officers……126 O.R.
CANAL BANK…..C Coy 2 Pl…2 Officers……92 O.R.
1st February 1916 – Battalion War Diary
St JEAN L. Section.
Fine, v. quiet day. Redistribution of line.
B.11. B.12…………A Coy 3 Platoons
S.12.A……………..A Coy 1 Platoons
X.8…………………D Coy 1 Platoons
St. JEAN Defences…C Coy 2 Platoons
CONGREVE ROAD.D Coy 2 Platoons
CANAL BANK…….B Coy 4 Platoons
CANAL BANK…….C Coy 2 Platoons
CANAL BANK…….D Coy 1 Platoons
Relief complete at 10.50 P.M. night of 1 / 2,
2 Lt E. CUMBERLAND and 7 O.R. on leave.
2nd February 1916 – Battalion War Diary
St JEAN L. Section.
Fine but cloudy, quiet day. Casualties 4 Killed 2 Wounded. O.R.
Mildy photoshop to reduce impact of damage present on the original image"