Frederick Jeremiah Edwards

Frederick Jeremiah Edwards (3 October, 1894- 9 March, 1964) was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Biography

Edwards was born in what was then called Queenstown, (now named Cobh), County Cork. He was 21 years old, and a private in the 12th Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own), British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 26 September 1916 at Thiepval, France, part of the line was held up by machine-gun fire and all the officers had become casualties. There was confusion and indication of retirement. Private Edwards, grasping the situation and on his own initiative, dashed out towards the gun, which he knocked out with his bombs. This very gallant act, coupled with great presence of mind and disregard of personal danger, made further advance possible and cleared up a dangerous situation.

He was later promoted to corporal and after leaving the army he was forced to sell his medal to make ends meet. He died at Richmond, Surrey on 9 March 1964.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Army Museum, Chelsea, England.

In popular culture

Edwards was portrayed by Adam Webb in the 2006 BBC docudrama "The Somme - From Defeat to Victory"

References

Listed in order of publication year
*"The Register of the Victoria Cross" (1981, 1988 and 1997)
*"The Irish Sword" (Brian Clarke 1986)
*"Ireland's VCs" (Dept of Economic Development 1995)
*"Monuments to Courage" (David Harvey, 1999)
*"Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross" (Richard Doherty and David Truesdale, 2000)

External links

* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/surrey.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(Surrey)"
* [http://www.prole.demon.co.uk/Middlesex/middlesx.htm The Middlesex Regiment 1755-1966] "(detailed history of the original "Die Hards")"