John Edwards
This is the memorial page for John Edwards, native of Ystalyfera, killed during the First World War, popularly known as Sidney, or Sid.
The information on Sid Edwards comes principally from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the Labour Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives).
Name | John Sidney Edwards |
Date of Death | 14th August 1916 |
Place of Death | France (Western Front) |
Age at Death | 22 |
Unit and Regiment | Welsh Guards; 1st Bn. |
Rank | Private |
Service Number | 675 |
Additional Information | Son of the late Thomas (b 1847 d 1911) and Sarah (b 1857 d 1903) Edwards of Graig Stores, Pantteg, Ystalyfera, Glam. |
Cemetery | BERTRANCOURT MILITARY CEMETERY - FRANCE; Plot 1. Row F. Grave 4. |
Remembrance Grave | Holy Trinity Churchyard, Godre’rgraig, Ystalyfera. Plot 6 Grave inscription: Welsh Guards Died in France. |
Roll of Honour | Book = Ystalyfera County School THE FIRST 50 YEARS |
Local Memorials | Ystalyfera War Memorial |
Family Details | Son of Thomas Edwards (b 1845 d 9th February 1911) and Sarah Edwards (b 1857 d 28th April 1903) |
Known Brothers | William (Willie) (b 1881 d 1956); Aneurin (b 1887 d 1956) |
Known Sisters | Hannah H Edwards (b 1879 d 12th Dec 1906); Rachelina (b 1883); Sarah (b 1885); Gwendoline (b 1889); Gwyneth Edna (b1898 d 23r May 1915); Elsie (b 1901) |
Sadly John Edwards' sister Gwyneth (or Gwynneth) died in 1915, aged only sixteen. From the Labour Voice newspaper, 29th May 1915 :-
PAGE 2
With much regret we record the death that took place early on Sunday morning, of Miss Gwynneth Edna Edwards, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Edwards, grocers, Pantteg. Deceased who would have been 17 years of age in July, was the second youngest child of the family, who had resided together since the death of their parents some time ago. She was very popular in the locality and will be greatly missed by a great number of friends. Miss Edwards had been unwell for about 5 weeks and had recently undergone an operation at home, which unfortunately proved unavailing. She attended the Ystalyfera County School and was devoted to Caersalem Chapel and Sunday school where her father was a Deacon and where her loss will be greatly felt.
One of her brothers, Private Sidney Edwards is in the Welsh Guards.
The funeral took place at Holy Trinity Churchyard yesterday (Thursday).
Fifteen months after the death of Gwyneth, the family was hit by the news that John had died on active service. It is clear from the newspaper article that, as many did in this period, he went by his middle name, in this case Sid (for Sidney). From the Labour Voice newspaper, 26th August 1916 :-
YSTALYFERA NOTES
It is with regret that we report the death of Private Sid Edwards, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Edwards, Pantteg, who was killed whilst on sentry duty, by being struck in the chest by a bomb from a German bombing party on 14th August. Private David Jenkins wrote to deceased’s brother and Private Leslie Thomas also sent a letter home regarding the death of the young hero. He was buried behind the British lines. Private Edwards, who was only 23 years of age, had been out for 12 months and was the first man in the Swansea district to join the Guards. He was well liked in the district and his death is mourned by a large circle of friends.
DEATH OF PANTTEG GROCER
The death took place on 18th April of Mr William Edwards of Graig Stores Pantteg Ystalyfera.
Mr Edwards was 75 and the eldest son of the late Mr and Mrs Thomas Edwards, of the same address.
His death was the first of three blows suffered by the family in the last fortnight. Mr Rufus Gabe, of Alltygrug, his cousin, died at Swansea Hospital on 30th April and his only brother Aneurin Edwards, of Belmont Ystalyfera, died on 3rd May at Clydach Hospital.
Mr Edwards was a lifelong member of Caersalem Chapel. He is survived by his wife and four daughters.
Cremation was at Pontypridd on 21st April
William's funeral was also described in detail:-
FUNERAL MR WILLIAM EDWARDS PANTTEG
The interment of Mr William Edwards Graig Stores Pantteg Ystalyfera, who died on 18th April, took place at Glyntaff Crematorium Pontypridd on Saturday 21st April.
Mourners at the funeral: Messrs Jerry Edwards, Tom Thomas, Tom Baker sons in law; Fred Williams, brother in law; Elwyn Gabe cousin; Rhys G Edwards, Russell Williams, Gwilym Treharne nephews; Trevor Jones friend.
Mourners at the house: Mrs Enid Edwards, wife; Beryl, Rachel, Margaret, Mary daughters; Miss Sarah Edwards, Mrs Gwendoline Lewis sisters; and other relatives.
*Son of Thomas and Sarah EDWARDS: Aneurin EDWARDS married Margaret Ann RICHARDS in 1910. Buried Holy Trinity Plot 3C Row 04 Grave 45
Their son David Kenneth Vincent EDWARDS was killed in WWII aged 31 whilst serving in the RAF VR Service number 1160024 see Ystalyfera WWII