His son Tom writes: Francis Walter Godfrey Edwards was born 17 May 1911 at 10 Horton Hill, Epsom, the son of William James Edwards and Esther Hannah Edwards. He went to school in Epsom. He married Catherine O'Connor of Ballylongford, Co. Kerry, Irish Republic on 18 April 1938 at St.Joseph's Catholic Church, Heathcote Road, Epsom. There were two children Thomas Francis (1938) and Mary (1942). He gave his trade as Master Greengrocer. He had a greengrocery shop situated in one of the lock up shops in Kingston Road, Ewell opposite where the Waggoners pub was situated and also did a grocery round.
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He was aged 32 when he died and is buried in Enfidaville War Cemetery in Tunisia. He died from 'General Peritonitis' 'North Africa'. 142 Bty was engaged during all of September 1943 providing Light Anti-Aircraft defence of Sousse* under the command of 31(U.S) Brigade. The reason he is on the Fetcham war memorial rather than Epsom may be on account of his parents retiring to 10 Orchard Close, Fetcham some time after 1938. Both are buried in St.Mary's churchyard. My grandfather was 65 in 1938 and worked at the Manor Hospital in Epsom: he died in 1951 and his wife Esther in 1958. * [Editor: The Fetcham Book of Remembrance entry states Sicily against his name. Operation HUSKY, the invasion of the island, began on 10th July 1943 and ended on August 17th 1943. Tom Edwards, his son, has now obtained the history of 45 Regt LAA and 142 Bty and believes the entry of Sicily is incorrect in the Book of Remembrance. Sousse is not that far from Enfidaville (see map in campaign link below).] 45
LAA Regt (TA) |
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text based on information provided by Tom Edwards, who also provided the
photos: if you can add to this page please contact
the editor
page added 15 Mar 2009: updated 15 Mar 2010