Pte Thomas Edwards VC
11th April 2007, commemoration service at St Mary’s Church, Chigwell for Pte Thomas Edwards VC
The following text was published in the local Guardian:
PTE Thomas Edwards (1861-1952) is buried at St. Mary’s Church, High Road, Chigwell. He was part of The Royal Highlanders (The Black Watch) attached to the Royal Navy during the Battle of Tamaai. The fighting was part a series of campaigns against an uprising led by the rebel Mahdi, who sought to remove the Sudan from Egyptian rule.
Edwards was in a gun team responsible for carrying the ammunition on mules.
Pte Edwards’ gun became separated from the main part of the British force. Several of his gun team were killed, including the naval officer in command, but Pte Edwards took charge and saved the gun, the mules and the ammunition.
He returned what remained of the naval gun team to safety despite being wounded several times.
After leaving the Army Pte Edwards married, had two children and moved to Woodford Bridge late in life. His grave was unmarked until a headstone was put in place in 2001.
VC won August 23, 1914
NIMY Bridge, Mons, Belgium was the location of one of the earliest actions involving British troops in World War I. Pte John Godley (1889-1957) of the Royal Fusiliers took over a machine gun when the commanding officer was fatally wounded. He held the Germans back single-handedly for two hours and was seriously wounded twice. Pte Godley destroyed the gun before escaping to a field hospital. When it was over-run by the enemy he was made a prisoner of war until the end of hostilities. Pte Godley eventually settled in Loughton and is buried in the town’s cemetery in Church Lane.
VC won april 25, 1915
LT George Drewry (1894-1918) was a midshipman in the Royal Naval Reserve during the Gallipoli landings by Allied troops in World War I. Along with three others he secured lighters (small boats) under heavy rifle and machine gun fire. He was wounded in the head, but continued his work and twice attempted to swim from lighter to lighter with a line. Lt Drewry was killed in action in 1918 and is buried in the City of London Cemetery, Aldersbrook Road, Manor Park.
VC won May, 31 1916
AB John Cornwell (1900 -1916) was just 16 when he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery during the Battle of Jutland in World War I. He was serving aboard HMS Chester when it came under intense fire from four German ships. Although severely wounded, AB Cornwell remained at his post until the Chester retired from the action. AB Cornwell was found to be the sole survivor at his gun, although he later died of his wounds. He is buried in Manor Park Cemetery, Sebert Road, Forest Gate.
