Alexander Edwards

{{Infobox military person

|name=Alexander Edwards

|birth_date=4 November 1885

|death_date= 24 March 1918 (aged 32)

|birth_place=Stotfield, Lossiemouth, Moray, Scotland

|death_place=Bapaume Wood, near Arras, France

|placeofburial=Remembered on the Arras Memorial

|image=Sgt A Edwards.jpg

|caption=Sjt. Alexander Edwards, V.C.

|nickname=

|allegiance={{UK}}

|serviceyears=1914 – 1918

|rank=Sergeant

|branch={{army|United Kingdom}}

|commands=

|unit=1/6th (Morayshire) Bn, the Seaforth Highlanders, 51st Highland

|battles=First World War

|awards=Victoria Cross

|relations=

|laterwork=

}}

Alexander Edwards VC (4 November 1885 – 24 March 1918) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for valour in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Life

Edwards was born in Stotfield, Lossiemouth, Morayshire, the son of a fisherman, and became a cooper working in the herring fishery.

On 1 September 1914 he joined the 6th (Morayshire) Battalion, the Seaforth Highlanders,{{Cite book|first=William J|last=McKenzie |title=Morayshire Roll of Honour |page=102 |publisher= |location=Elgin |year=1921|oclc=1049664992}} a part of the 51st (Highland) Division. After training in Bedford, the battalion travelled to France in May 1915.{{Cite book |first=Derek |last=Bird |title=The Spirit of the Troops is Excellent |page=33|publisher=Birdbrain Books |location=Eastholm |year=2008|isbn=978-0-9560223-0-1}}

=VC action=

Edwards, now a sergeant, demonstrated tremendous bravery and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions at the Battle of Pilckem Ridge on 31 July 1917 on the first day of the Battle of Passchendaele.{{cite book|last=Fairrie|first=Angus|title="Cuidich'n Righ": A History of the Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons)|page=68 |publisher=Regimental HQ, Queen's Own Highlanders|year= 1983|isbn=0950898600}}

The London Gazette of 14 September 1917 recorded:

{{blockquote|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.{{London Gazette|issue=30284 |supp=y|page=9532|date=14 September 1917}}}}

Returning to Britain, Edwards received his Victoria Cross from King George V at Buckingham Palace on 26 September 1917. A week later he attended a reception in his honour at Lossiemouth, where he was presented with a gold watch and war bonds.{{Cite book |first=Derek |last=Bird |title=The Spirit of the Troops is Excellent |page=144 |publisher=Birdbrain Books |location=Eastholm |year=2008|isbn=978-0-9560223-0-1}} He later returned to France and rejoined the 6th Seaforth.

=Killed in action=

On 21 March 1918 the Germans began their Kaiserschlacht (Spring Offensive). On 24 March Edwards was wounded and posted missing in action, presumed killed, at Bapaume Wood, east of Arras, France.{{Cite book |first=Derek |last=Bird |title=The Spirit of the Troops is Excellent |page=178 |publisher=Birdbrain Books |location=Eastholm |year=2008|isbn=978-0-9560223-0-1}}

File:Passchendaele aerial view.jpg

No body was ever identified, and Serjeant Edwards is commemorated at Bay 8 on the Arras Memorial.{{cite web|url=http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1541158 |title=Serjeant Alexander Edwards |publisher=Commonwealth War Graves Commission|access-date=4 February 2022}}

The Moray Firth Golf Links at Lossiemouth have a sundial memorial to Edwards and his cousin, Captain G.E. Edwards {{post-nominals|size=100|DSO}}, who also died while serving with the 6th Seaforth during the war. As boys, both had acted as Caddies at the golf course.{{cite book|last=Sym|first=John M.|title=Seaforth Highlanders|page=337 |publisher=Gale & Polden|location=Aldershot |year=1962|oclc=1059816697}}

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at The Highlanders Museum in Fort George, Inverness-shire, Scotland.{{cite web|url=http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/ccseafor.htm |title=VCs at The Highlanders' Museum |publisher=victoriacross.org.uk |access-date=4 February 2022}}