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David Edwards
8408, Private, 1st Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Killed in action, 30 October 1914, aged 28
No known grave (Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium)
CWGC registered (no family details)
David Edwards was born in 1886 in Bangor. He was the son of Ellen Edwards and an unknown father. Ellen Edwards’ brother was Edwin Edwards qv. David lived with his mother and grandmother at 22 Kyffin Square, Bangor. Confusingly, but understandably, he is described in the 1891 Census as a sibling of his mother. His mother married Francis Beswick in 1892. In the 1901 Census, David was recorded as living with his grandmother at 47 Kyffin Square, Bangor and described as a greengrocer’s assistant; his mother and stepfather were living at 1 Prospect Terrace, Llandudno.
In April 1903, at the age of 17 and described as an errand boy, David Edwards joined the Militia for the County of Caernarvon, specifically the 4th Battalion of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, for a term of six years. His regimental number was 3218. He served in the Militia until July 1904 when he joined the Regular Army, enlisting at Bangor to serve a short service engagement with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. His new regimental number was 8408. A census return for April 1911 states his place of residence as India – the 2nd Battalion RWF had returned to India from Burma earlier that year. At the same time, his mother and stepfather were living at 19 Alexandra Road, Llandudno.
When the Great War began, David Edwards was on the reserve list, living with his mother and stepfather in Llandudno. He played half back for Llandudno Amateurs and worked at the gas works. David Edwards was recalled to his regiment and was embodied on 11 September 1914. The 1st Battalion had been in Malta on the outbreak of war but was immediately recalled, landing at Southampton on September 3, 1914. On 7 October, the battalion landed at Zeebrugge and David Edwards joined it on 27 October 1914. David Edwards was killed in action during the first Battle of Ypres though his body was never knowingly recovered. His death was assumed as on 30 October 1914.
Known memorials:
- Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium
- Llanrhos Parish War Memorial, All Saints’ Church, Deganwy
- Llandudno Roll of Honour
- Llandudno War Memorial
- Memorial Chapel, Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno
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