Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Edward Morgan Mathias, a land surveyor, born in the October quarter of 1851 in Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorganshire, Wales (son of Mathias and Susannah, 1828) and his wife Mary Mathias (nee Davies, married in the January quarter of 1875 in Llandilofawr, Carmarthenshire Wales), born 1850 in Llandilo, Carmarthenshire, Wales. Edward Morgan was born in the October quarter of 1880 in Llywel, Brecknockshire, Wales, in April 1881 the family home was at Cefntwrch, Ysclydach, Brecknock, Brecon, Wales.
In April 1891 Edward was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at 18, First Avenue, Enfield, Edmonton, Middlesex, together with his father, a scripture reader, his mother and sibling, Bessie Susannah, a schoolgirl, born in the October quarter of 1884 in Llandilo.
In March 1901 Edward was employed as an assistant supervisor submarine telegraphy, and was residing in the family home at The Vicarage, High Street, Greetham, Rutland, together with his father a clergyman of the Church of England, his mother and sibling, Mary, born in the July quarter of 1891 in Enfield, Middlesex, also residing with the family was a niece, Annie Margaretta Davies, an assistant school mistress, born in the October quarter of 1877 in Llandilo and baptised on the 15th February 1885 in the Church of St. Nicholas and St. Teilo, Penally, Pembrokeshire, Wales.
On the 14th July 1908, Edward married Winifred Beatrice (Beatrix) Gedge in St. Andrew’s Church, Coston, Leicestershire, Winifred was born on the 1st December 1872 in Mildenhall, Suffolk (daughter of John Denny Gedge, 1837-1920 and Elizabeth Ann Wells, 1829-1913).
Edward and Winfred had two children, Edward Lanfranc Morgan, born on the 27th June 1909 in Havant, Hampshire and Margaret Evelyn Winifred, born on the 26th September 1910 in Teddington, Middlesex.
In April 1911 Edward was absent from the family home at The Vicarage, High Street, Greetham, residing there was his father, a clergyman of the established church, his mother and sibling Mary, meanwhile Edward was employed as an engineer’s storekeeper and was residing in the family home at 1, New Coronation Street, New Balderton, Newark, Nottinghamshire together with his wife, Jane Elizabeth Mathias, born 1877 in Sloothby, Alford, Lincolnshire (daughter of David Goodhand, 1839 and Elizabeth Goodhand, 1840) and his step children, Dora May Dennis, born 1898 and Gladys Goodhand Dennis, born 1900, both children were born in Alford.
FAMILY NOTES: Edward was recorded as having married Winifred Beatrice Gedge in 1908, the marriage producing two children, however in the April 1911 census Edward is recorded as having married Jane Elizabeth Dennis (nee Goodhand), a widow with two children, at the time the family were residing in Balderton, near Newark, Nottinghamshire. In the same census, Edward’s wife Winifred was recorded as residing together with her two children, her mother and father at Normanholme, Pelham Road, Gravesend, Kent, this being the family home of her brother, Edward Lionel Gedge.
It is interesting that when he enlisted, he used the alias of Edward Morgan Dennis, Dennis being the surname of his wife, Jane Elizabeth’s late husband.
MILITARY NOTE: He served as DENNIS, Edward Morgan.
Edward enlisted/attested under the assumed name of Edward Dennis into the Regular Army on the 15th July 1915 in Holborn, and was allotted the regimental service number 27948. He gave his age as 35 years. His marital status was given as married and his trade or calling as seaman. He gave his present address as Greetham Vicarage, Oakham, Rutland.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Holborn on the 15th July 1915 and recorded his birthplace as Cefntwrch, Breconshire, declared age as 35 years, trade or occupation as seaman, that he was 5-feet 3 inches in height, weighed 124 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 33 and 36 inches, his physical development was described as [not recorded], his vision was described as R.E.-V=6/6. L.E.-V=6/6. Enlisted at Holborn on the 15th July 1915. Joined on enlistment 18th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (2nd London Welsh Battalion). Regimental No. 27948.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 35 years, height 5-feet 3 inches and chest measurement of between 33 and 36 inches, his complexion was described as fresh, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, mole between shoulders, scar left thigh
He gave his next of kin as his wife, Winifred Beatrice Dennis, Weir Cottage, Alresford, Hampshire.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Attested. 15/7/15.
Joined. In London. 16/7/15.
Posted. 18th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (2nd London Welsh Battalion). Pte. 16/7/15.
Embarked. From Folkestone. 5/3/16.
Joined. 38th Infantry Brigade Depot, Etaples. 6/3/16.
Proceeded. To join 17th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. In the Field. 17/3/16.
Joined. 17th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers and posted to “A” Company. In the Field. 17/3/16.
Admitted. To 7th Casualty Clearing Station, gunshot wound back. In the Field. 11/5/16.
Admitted. To 129th Field Ambulance. In the Field. 11/5/16.
Died of wounds. In the 35th General Hospital, Calais, France. 19/5/16.
Summary of Service.
Total Service. 309 days.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 11 May-16 – TRENCHES. MOATED GRANGE SECTOR - Battalion in trenches. 1 Other Rank killed. 3 Other Ranks wounded.
On the 13th November 1916, Edward’s widow Winifred Beatrice, of Weir Cottage, Alresford, Hampshire was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of twenty-one shillings for herself and her two children, commensurate on the 20th November 1916, Winifred later moved to reside at 179, Wrotham Road, Gravesend, Kent.
He was educated at the City of London School, and would have joined the “Citizen” Corps had he been tall enough. He became an excellent linguist in Portuguese, Spanish, French and German. He had held several important appointments in Portugal, West Africa and Paraguay. He had refused a commission preferring to serve in the ranks. Having served nearly a year, he volunteered, with four others on the night of the 10th May 1916 to undertake the hazardous task of repairing the barbed wire entanglements in front of their position, having been out for over an hour, and whilst in a crouching position he was mortally wounded by a bullet that entered the right side of the small of his back coming out of the left shoulder. He was carried into the comparative safety of his trench where first aid treatment was administered, and then he was taken to Calais Hospital, where after suffering for nine days he quietly passed away. His superior officer bore the highest testimony of his gallantry and geniality which, as he said, endeared him to the whole company and he would be greatly missed by them. The Sister and Chaplain spoke in the highest terms of his remarkable patience under such severe suffering, and his very exceptional gratitude for all that was done for him.
On Friday 2nd, June 1916, The Lincoln, Rutland and Stamford Mercury published the following article on page 6, under the heading. – GREETHAM. – ROLL OF HONOUR. – The Vicar (Rev. E. M. Mathias) has received news of the death of his son, priv. E. Mathias. Of the Welsh Fusiliers. He was seriously wounded in France, and died at the Calais Hospital on the 19th ult.
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