Alexander Edwards V.C.

Alexander Edwards was born at Drainie, , Morayshire on 4th November 1885, the son of a fisherman Alexander and his wife Jessie (nee Smith).

He was educated at Lossiemouth School and in his spare time was a “caddie to the gentry” at Moray Links.

On leaving school he served his apprenticeship as a cooper in the herring industry with Thomas Jenkins, fish curer, Burghead. He then worked for James Gray of Buckie before joining Thomas Davidson of Aberdeen. He was a Freemason, a respected member of Lodge Pitgaveny, No 681, in his home town.

On the outbreak of war he joined the 1/6 (Morayshire) Battalion, . Following training in England, by May 1915 he was in France as a Lance Corporal and within a few weeks became a Sergeant.

He survived the Somme in July 1916 only to be laid low by a throat infection in October of that year. He spent six weeks in hospital in London followed by a further two weeks in Lossiemouth. Alexander was then posted to a reserve battalion in England to train the recruits.

In June 1917 he volunteered to re-join his old Battalion, and by 31st July was acting Company Sergeant Major for C Company, north of Ypres. This was the first day of the Battle of Passchendaele!

On that day the Morayshire Battalion were tasked with driving forward from the slopes of Pilckem Ridge to their objective of straddling Steenbeck. C Company was required to secure a bridgehead across the stream. Almost three hours after the attack began they set off from Muller Cottage . The advance became ever harder, not helped by the Flanders mud and finally slowed to a virtual halt around MacDonald’s Farm. C Company urgently needed to attack the machine gun emplacements hidden in the ruined buildings.

Edwards later recalled, that: “One gun in particular was very troublesome. The officer in charge of the company was knocked out of action so I went to locate it. I got round behind and hid in a shell hole which commanded a good view of the gun. I could see right into the door of the pill box. I had two revolvers in my belt and a bullet stopped the career of the first man who was firing the gun, and kick he gave. The other nine of the crew will trouble our boys no more.”

“Campaign Reminiscences of the 6th Seaforth Highlanders” describes Edwards’ next act of bravery: “a single enemy sniper was creating havoc in the line. Many had fallen and still the single deaths came. It is surely history how Edwards stalked this brute across the open and along his very line of fire; how that he was severely wounded in the arm but still carried on, and finally rid the earth and his beloved company of this danger.”

Edwards recalled: “I then made back the way I came to ask the men to come on when I was hit in the arm by a sniper’s bullet. I thought we could be doing without him, and with a bit of luck I attended to him. He is quiet enough now.”

Despite being wounded Edwards stayed with his Company. They made their way to within 100 yards of the final objective and protected by a tank began digging a trench. The “Reminiscences” continue: “The news ran along the line that a Major of a Cavalry Unit had been left in the open, badly wounded. Without a moment’s hesitation, Edwards crept out, and through a hail of bullets darted from shell hole to shell hole, until he reached the wounded officer. Lifting him up, he carried him back to our line, while the fire increased in intensity. Edwards had a charmed life that day.”

In the early afternoon Edwards led the final attack across the surviving bridge with Maison du Rasa and Maison Bulgare being captured. These were later lost when they were ordered to withdraw. Edwards remained with his men throughout the night despite shrapnel wounds to his knee and on reporting to Battalion HQ the next day was sent to hospital. Despite being heavily bandaged and in pain his only complaint was about the weather.

For those heroic deeds on 31st July and 1st August 1917 Alexander Edwards was awarded the , the citation in the London Gazette of 14th September 1917 reading as follows:

“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, Sergeant Edwards, regardless of his wound, led his men on till the 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.”

Alexander Edwards was presented with his Victoria Cross by King George V on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace on 26th September. “The King was very nice and very kind” was Edwards’ comment about the day.

The response to his Victoria Cross in his home county of Morayshire was considerable. The Northern Scot of 22nd September carried a photograph of Alexander Edwards and his brother John who had won the Military Medal in June 1916. There was also a photograph of his parents, sister and other brother William who served on H.M.S. Agatha. The newspaper also carried an appeal for subscriptions from “all over the Seaforth country, in aid of the funds for the presentation of a testimonial to the V.C. hero.”

The Northern Scot of 29th September had extensive reporting of Lossiemouth’s hero returning home on 22nd September. By the time the train neared Elgin Station that evening “ a large crowd had assembled to give the Lossie loon a hearty Heilan’ welcome.” “ The proud father of the VC, with a few friends, was observed on the station platform and many were the congratulations showered upon him.”

When Edwards with his brother John arrived they immediately went to their father. “Hip,hip hooray! The call was taken up heartily and oft repeated as the VC moved along.” “Good auld Lossie..Good auld Seaforths and round after round of cheers followed the sergeant.” “What is all the fuss about” said Edwards, “ I have been here before.”

At Lossiemouth “practically the whole population turned out to meet him”. Local Volunteers formed a guard of honour and Volunteer pipers were on hand.” The Provost made himself heard(with difficulty in such a melee.” “Grasping the VC’s hand Provost Christie said – “There is no necessity for making a speech tonight. We have very great pleasure in seeing our VC hero here. We hope to meet him again soon and then there will be a chance to say something about the great deeds which he has performed.”

“The Provost’s remarks finished, the crowd cheered again lustily, and Sergeant Edwards, who had taken everything quietly, was carried shoulder high to the motor car which was waiting outside the station. The people in their hundreds took up the applause in honour of their hero. The car moved off slowly, with three pipers marching ahead to the strains of “The Mackenzie Highlanders”.

The article continues with an interview of Edwards who gave an intensely modest description of his achievements and a strong sense of his pride in his regiment, comrades and home town.

On 4th October 1917 “the scenes in the Town Hall, Lossiemouth were historic in the annals of the town. The occasion was that of the presentation of a wallet containing National War Loan Bonds for £100, War Saving Certificates for £27. 13/-, £4.10s in bank notes and a beautiful gold watch and chain to Sergeant Alexander Edwards VC.”

“The hall was packed. Everybody was beaming and everybody shared in the honour brought to the town by the dashing Seaforth.” Provost Christie had the honour of representing the town, his final words being: “And now Sergeant, I wish you everything that is good and the best of luck.”

Edwards replied: “I thank you one and all. I am not a speech-maker, but I am a good fighter.” “ Round after round of cheering followed this brief acknowledgement.”

Lieutenant-Colonel Macdonald then gave a rousing speech praising Edwards and his regiment.

Edwards returned to the Western Front where on 21st March 1918 the Germans began the ferocious Kaiserschlacht spring offensive.

On 24th March at Loupart Wood, east of Arras, Alexander Edwards was reported missing in action, his body never being found. During the 5 days of intensive action the casualties of the Division were 219 officers and 4,666 other ranks, of which 2714 were missing. A hero of Lossiemouth was no more, but the story of his courage remains.

Sergeant Alexander Edwards V.C. is commemorated at the Arras Memorial(bay 8) in Faubourg- d’Amiens Cemetery, Arras. He is also commemorated on the Lossiemouth War Memorial. His medal is at the Highlanders Museum, Fort George.

He is also named on the Roll of Honour of the Lodge Pitgaveny in Lossiemouth which was unveiled in November 1921.

The local newspaper reported: “ A tablet of Sicilian marble was unveiled on Sunday within the hall of Pitgaveny Masonic Lodge, Lossiemouth, by Colonel S. Gair, Past Master Lodge Kilmolymock, to the memory of the 23 bretheren who fell in the war. After Colonel Gair drew aside the Union Jack, -Right Worshipful Master A. Knight read out the names.” In his address Colonel Gair referred to the late Sergeant Alex. Edward V.C. recalling their time in France and said “His face always bore a contented smile while he made light of all trouble.”

The memorial reads: “To the Fragrant Memory of the Brethren of this Lodge Who made the supreme sacrifice In the Great European War, 1914-1919.” It is then followed by the 23 names.

On 23rd August, 1931, in front of crowds of people, including members of Alexander Edwards’ family, Colonel C.J. Johnston “unveiled a memorial, in the form of a sundial, erected by the members of Moray Golf Club close to the eighteenth green, to the late Capt. G. E. Edwards, D.S.O. and the late Sergt A. Edwards, V.C., both of the 6th Seaforths, who as boys had been caddies on the course.” Inscribed around the dial are the words “Sunshine after Shadow.” The accompanying plaque includes this sentence: “ In Their Boyhood They “Carried” On The Moray Links”

Both of these Lossie loons carried a unique level of courage and tenacity to the Western Front. Neither returned to their beloved Lossiemouth but their stories are deservedly carried forward for future generations to both appreciate and admire.

The commemorative plaque at Moray Golf Club

The unveiling of the commemorative plaque at Moray Golf Club as reported in The Northern Scot Christmas number, 1931