Edwards, Cadwaladar (Walley)

If you can add any information about this soldier, please use the comment form at the bottom of this page.

If you would like to be informed of any additions or amendments to The Great War Project, please join our Facebook group.

The Great War Project navigation

Overview  A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   J   K   L   M   N   O   P   R   S   T   W

Cadwaladar (Walley) Edwards

35026, Private, 13th Yorkshire Regiment
Died whilst a prisoner of war, 11 September 1918, aged 21
Buried at Niederzwehren Cemetery, Germany

CWGC registered as “W Edwards” (no family details)

Cadwaladar used the name “Walley” when in the army. Subsequently, some memorials have used the name “Walter”, incorrectly assuming “Walley” as being its diminutive.

Walley Edwards was born on 18 August 1897 at Llandudno. His parents were John and Catherine Edwards. The Census of Wales for 1901 records the family of three living at 26 Alexandra Terrace, Llandudno – John Edwards was a plumber. In September 1904, Walley was admitted to Lloyd Street School; his address was given as 26 Alexandra Road. He left Lloyd Street School in September 1905 to attend the new Dyffryn Road School. The Census of 1911 reveals that the family had moved to 1 Roger Williams Yard, Back Madoc Street; Walley (13) was listed as being at school and had four younger siblings: Tudno, Sam, Dilys and Blodwen. Walley left school in July 1911 as he approached his 14th birthday.

Walley joined the Royal Welsh Fusiliers circa August 1916 having enlisted at Llandudno. His RWF regimental number was 43608. It is not clear where he did his infantry training and his first recorded battalion is the 13th (Service) Battalion RWF which had been in France since December 1915. He joined the battalion circa December 1916. On 30 July 1917, Walley received a severe gunshot wound to his back near Ypres. He was evacuated by No 14 Casualty Clearing Station, No 16 Ambulance Train and HMHS Essequiba to England. After recovery, he was sent back to France and was posted to the 15th (Service) Battalion RWF. He was later transferred to the 13th (Service) Battalion of the Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment), also known as the Green Howard’s, with a new regimental number of 35026. The 13th Yorkshire’s was part of the 40th Division which suffered such heavy losses during the Battles of the Lys that it was reduced to a cadre. Amongst those losses was Walley Edwards who, according to German records, was captured on 10 April 1918 near Armentieres and taken to a prisoner of war camp at Münster – his home address was recorded as 15 Council Street, Llandudno. He was later transferred to a camp at Hamelin.

Walley Edwards worked on the land and died on 11 September 1918 aged 21 at Bad Lauterberg im Harz. Commonwealth War Grave Commission records indicate that he was originally buried at Bad Lauterberg Cemetery. In 1923, he was reinterred at Niederzwehren Cemetery, Kassel, Germany.

Known memorials:

• Llandudno Roll of Honour (as Walter Edwards)
• Llandudno War Memorial (as Cadwaldr Edwards)
• Memorial Chapel, Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno
• Tabernacl Welsh Baptist Chapel, Llandudno (as Cadwalar Edwards)
• Llanrhos Parish War Memorial, All Saints’ Church, Deganwy (as Walter Edwards)