Born on 28 April 1893 in Franktown, Ontario - son of Mrs. J.H. Edwards, Franktown, Ontario - at the time of his enlistment in 1915: trade as chauffeur or repairer of car, single, no current or previous military service, Church of England, height of 5 feet 11 inches, chest of 40.5 inches fully expanded, weight of 168 pounds, dark complexion, dark blue eyes, black hair.
Joined the 130th Battalion, CEF, in Perth, Ontario, on 16 December 1915 (number 787002) - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion, CEF, on 14 or 15 November 1916 - wounded on 8 April 1917 - invalided to England on 11 April 1917 - transferred to the Royal Flying Corps on 31 May 1918 in order to receive his commission.
Awarded the Military Medal - no citation - unit recommendation dated 3 April 1917: "For gallant conduct in rescuing and assisting in the resuscitation of others overcome by gas 26-3-17."
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Harold Leslie Edwards 787002 attested on December 16, 1915 with the 130th Battalion of the CEF. He embarked to England on the troopship SS Lapland, arriving on October 6, 1916. He was taken on strength with the 38th Battalion Overseas and arrived in France November 15, 1916 and received a field promotion to corporal November 23, 1916.
Military Medal
He was, according to available records, involved in an action on March 26, 1917 for which he was awarded the Military Medal.
"For conspicuous gallantry on early morning of 26th March 1917 near SOUCHEZ.
The enemy blew a camouflet at 5.20 a.m. and broke into one of our Mining Shafts. The force of the explosion burst in the sides of a dug-out near one of the Mine Galleries. Twenty men were in the dug-out when the explosion occurred. Three of these managed to make their way out but the remainder were unable to gain the surface. About a dozen men were standing in the trench near the dug-out entrance, amongst whom were CPL. RAINFORD, SGT. BRISCOE, PTES. EDWARDS and CAREY. These men, without consideration of their own safety, and also having seen the gas flame rush from the mouth of the dug-out, singeing the hair and burning the faces of some, entered the dug-out and succeeded in bringing 10 men to the surface. The remaining seven men were found to be killed. These men assisted in the work of resuscitation of those overcome by gas. The men rescued were badly burned and gassed and must have been overcome by fumes but for the prompt and gallant action of these men. Some of the rescuers themselves were badly affected by the gas. These four men have been selected from the rescuers as being those who rendered the best services. Their prompt and gallant action undoubtedly saved the loss of 10 of their comrades and it is considered that they are fully deserving of an Immediate Reward. (A.F.B. 3121. April 18th 1917)."
The incident is noted on pages 5 and 6 of the War Diary for the month of March 1917 of the 38th Canadians, though the names of the rescuers are not stated.
Corporal Edwards was wounded on April 8, 1917 and transferred to No 3 Canadian General Hospital in Boulogne with what was variously reported as shrapnel or gunshot wounds to the leg and shoulder. He was evacuated to England and taken on strength at the Endell Street Military Hospital, Seaforth on April 12, 1917.
Edwards was transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Bromley, Kent, and on the 14th June 1917, it was reported by the 38th Battalion that Harold Leslie Edwards was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. The medal was confirmed by C.S.(C) on June 30. Harold ceased to be on convalescent leave and was struck off strength by the hospital and taken on strength by No. 2 Cadet Wing, Royal Flying Corps, Hastings.
He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant as an observer in the Royal Flying Corps and posted to 20 Squadron at Iris Farm. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He is credited with 21 enemy aircraft.
Military Medal Mystery
There exists some confusion regarding the awarding of the Military Medal to this man. The action cited on his Medal Card for the action on March 26 1917, refers to him as Private Edwards though he had been a corporal since November 23 1916. A publication of Kingswood House in Dulwich leased by Massey-Harris for convalescing Canadian soldiers, the Kingswood Bulletin, cites the following action:
"More Honours For Kingswood Men
One of the most interesting items in the programme at our Empire Day fete, was the presentation of Medals won for distinguished conduct at the Front, by three of our patients. The Distinguished Conduct Medal was awarded to 107065, Private T. N. Armit, of the 2nd C.M.R.'s, and the Military Medal to 787002, Corporal H. L. Edwards, of the 38th Battalion, and to 18421, Lance-Corporal V. Eryl, of the 52nd Battalion. Mrs. Raynolds, on pinning the coveted medals on the men's breasts, in a few well-chosen words, expressed the pride and pleasure which all those connected with Kingswood experienced in having such brave men in the Home, and in hearing of their noble deeds. Needless to say, the three heroes of the day were very heartily cheered by their comrades.
The brave deed which merited even a higher distinction for Corporal Edwards, is worthy of mention. During the desperate fighting at Vimy Ridge on the memorable ninth of April, the advance of his company was held up by a well-handled machine-gun and its crew of six Germans. The gun and its crew were well sheltered in a large shell crater, protected in front by barbed wire entanglements. Five separate attempts to advance in front and capture the gun were made by parties of volunteers, two at a time, but they fell one by one. Corporal Edwards and a comrade then worked their way round the flank, taking cover over the uneven shell-pitted ground, took the Germans by surprise, disposed of five by rifle, bayonet and revolver, and carried back the gun and the remaining German as a prisoner. Corporal Edwards and his comrade immediately made good use of the captured machine gun against other bodies of German troops.
Corporal Edwards hails from Smiths' Falls, his father is Major Edwards of the 240th Battalion, and his uncle is a Captain in the same Battalion. He also has a brother a Sergeant in the Canadian Army-truly a fine family record.
-From report of Resident Secretary."
The above item is sourced from University of Guelph library, which holds a collection of the Kingswood Bulletin. Corporal Edwards is certainly the man depicted in the photo accompanying the article and the references to his family are accurate. Another page of the same issue lists Corporal Edwards as being admitted to Kingswood House. Oddly, his service records account for his time from being invalided to England until his being taken on strength by No 2 RFC Cadet Wing and no mention is made of his being transferred to Kingswood House at any time. Moreover, the article states the pinning of the actual medal on Corporal Edwards occurred on Empire Day, May 24 1917 but the report of the award was not made until June 14 and not confirmed until June 30 1917. Corporal Edwards has either been awarded the MM twice or the action on his Medal Card, wherein he was referred to as Private Edwards, is in error.
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