260060 Sergeant Frederick Henry Edwards
1/6th Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment

Frederick was the son of Mr and Mrs Harry Victor Edwards of 2 Mount Pleasant Cottages, Watling Street, Brownhills.
Attempts by members of the Great War Forum have not definitely identified this family, but it is possible that Frederick was born in 1902, which would mean that he was only 13 when he volunteered. Frederick was a coal miner at the Condnit mine before he joined the South Staffordshire.

He joined in July 1915; initially he was in the 1/5th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment, number 1011.
He went to France in November 1915, the division then briefly were sent to Egypt, returning to France in early 1916.
He received serious chest wounds at Vimy ridge, receiving hospital treatment in France and then Birmingham. After recovering from his wounds he was sent back to France, probably joining the 1/6th Battalion at this time. In the fighting on the Somme he was gassed and later wounded.
During his service he received two wound stripes, a Military Medal, a Military Service Medal and rose from Private to Sergeant. He was discharged from the army in January 1919.

Information supplied by enochbeard Great War Forum

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