Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Edwards, born 1851 in Leeds, Yorkshire and his wife Mary Ann Edwards (nee Bedell, married on the 7th April 1873 in St. Mary’s Church, Leeds, Yorkshire), a laundress, born 1854 in Leeds, Yorks. Ernest, a schoolboy, was born in the 3rd quarter of 1884 in Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Wrightington, a boot trade pressman, born 1873 and Mary Hannah, a boot trade machinist, born 1876, the latter two siblings were both born in Leeds, Yorkshire, Williiam, a schoolboy, born 1882 in Northampton, Daisy Annie, a schoolgirl, born 1886 in Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire, Elizabeth, born 1889 in Leicester, in April 1891 the family home was at St. Saviours Road, Evington, Leicester. In March 1901 Ernest was employed as a shoe trade pressman and was residing in the family home at 41, Baggrave Street, Leicester, together with his mother and siblings, Wrightington, a shoe trade pressman, Willie, a shoe trade riveter, Daisy, a shoe trade machinist, Elizabeth and Lilian, born 1895 in Leicester. In the 2nd quarter of 1910 Ernest’s mother died aged 56. In April 1911 Ernest was employed as a motor man and was residing in the family home at 63, Asfordby Street, North Evington, Leicester, together with his widowed father an unemployed shoe trade clicker. In the 3rd quarter of 1911 Ernest married Gertrude Alice Wright in the Leicester district. In the 3rd quarter of 1916, Ernest’s widow Gertrude married William Crick in the Leicester district, they resided at 95, Rolleston Street, Leicester.
Ernest attested into the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Militia) to serve an engagement of 6 years on the 15th August 1902 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as Aylestone, Leicester and his age as 18 years and 6 months. He gave his present home address as 18, Halstead Street, Aylestone, Leicester and his trade or calling as hosiery hand, his present employer being Mr. A. Hastings of Leicester. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father Henry Edwards, his mother Avis Edwards and his sisters, Lizzie, Avis, Sarah Ann and Fanny Edwards, all of 18, Halstead Street, Leicester as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 6¼ inches in height, weighed 115 pounds and had a chest measurement of between 30½ and 33 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was black and he had brown eyes. It was noted that he had a burn mark under his chin and a small -?- scar on the front of his chest. He gave his religion as Church of England. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Militia) as a Private, service number 8341 on the 15/8/02. Commenced 49 days drill on the 15/8/02. Was present for training in 1903. Transferred to the Regular Army, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry on the 10/8/03.
On Friday October 9th 1914 The Leicester Journal published the following article under the heading. “THE ROLL OF HONOUR.” – A War Office intimation has been received in Leicester with reference to the death of Private Ernest Edwards, of the 2nd Battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Edwards who was killed while fighting at Bremy -?- in France was employed by the Leicester Tramway Committee as a motor man, and was well known in Leicester.
On Saturday December 5th 1914 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “BRIDGE ROAD OLD BOY’S FUNERAL.” – The little village of Bremy was the scene of a small engagement on the 17th September. Five British soldiers died there, one was Private Ernest Edwards, of the K.O.Y.L.I. (an old Bridge Road boy), who was a tram driver in Leicester. The other day his widow received a kind and sympathetic letter from Countess Gleichen, who, writing from London, said: “It may perhaps be some little comfort to you to know that your husband lies in a little quiet spot which is tended and cared for by the people living near. The writer of the enclosed is a friend of mine.” Enclosed were particulars of the burial of the fallen soldiers from M. Louis Fleury --- the celebrated flautist. He says: “We gave the five British soldiers as far as lay in our power the tokens of respect which were their right. A cure and prayers, the soldiers joining in. I myself played, accompanied on a little organ by a comrade. Our officer led us to the graves of your countrymen and there spoke in praise of the five gallant soldiers. Humble wooden crosses, with inscriptions, were placed on the spot. “If the families of these poor lads are only told that their dear ones sleep in peace in a little quiet corner of France, and that they have been buried with all honour, and that friendly people are watching over them as if they had been their own sons, I feel that it will be a little consolation to them.” The widow and family of the late Private Edwards deeply appreciate the kind action of Countess Gleichen, and are much consoled by the knowledge of the facts related above by M. Fleury.
(The personal family information that has been researched, does not fully match the information that was provided by this soldier in his attestation documents, the newspaper article confirms some background details, as does the Commonwealth War Graves Commission entry, however the information that is provided, cannot, under the present circumstances, be reliably corroborated, and therefore some aspects may not relate directly to the casualty in question).