Edward Dwyer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edward Dwyer
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| Born | 25 November 1895 Fulham, London, England |
| Died | 3 September 1916 (aged 20) Guillemont, France |
| Buried |
Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz
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| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
British Army |
| Years of service | 1911–1916 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Service number | 10523 |
| Unit | East Surrey Regiment |
| Battles/wars | First World War |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Cross of St. George |
Edward Dwyer (born November 25, 1895 – died September 3, 1916) was a brave soldier in the British Army. He was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC), which is the highest award for showing amazing courage in battle. This special medal is given to soldiers from Britain and other Commonwealth countries.
Contents
Edward Dwyer: A Brave Soldier
Edward Dwyer was born in Fulham, a part of London, England. He was born on November 25, 1895.
Early Life and Joining the Army
When the First World War began, Edward Dwyer was only 19 years old. He joined the British Army and became a private in the 1st Battalion of the East Surrey Regiment.
Heroic Actions in World War I
Edward Dwyer showed incredible bravery during the war. He earned his Victoria Cross for his actions on April 20, 1915. This happened at a place called Hill 60 in Belgium.
The Battle of Hill 60
During the battle, Edward Dwyer's trench (a long ditch where soldiers hide) was heavily attacked. German soldiers were throwing many grenades. Instead of hiding, Private Dwyer bravely climbed onto the edge of the trench. Even though bombs were exploding very close to him, he used his own hand grenades to push back the enemy.
Earlier that same day, he also showed great courage. He left his trench while heavy shells were falling to help bandage his wounded friends. His actions saved lives and stopped the attack.
Because of his bravery, Russia also gave him an award called the Cross of St. George. Later, Edward Dwyer was promoted to the rank of Corporal.
Legacy and Remembrance
Sadly, Corporal Edward Dwyer was killed in action on September 3, 1916. He died in Guillemont, France, during the war. He was buried at the Flatiron Copse Military Cemetery in France. His grave is about four miles east of Albert.
Edward Dwyer was one of the youngest soldiers to receive the Victoria Cross during the First World War. Only Jack Cornwell from the Royal Navy was younger.
You can see Edward Dwyer's Victoria Cross medal today. It is on display at the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queens and Royal Hampshires) Museum. This museum is located inside Dover Castle in Kent.
A Unique Recording
In 1916, Edward Dwyer made a special audio recording. He spoke about his experiences during the war, including the Retreat from Mons at the very beginning of the conflict. In the recording, he described what life was like on the front lines. He also talked about soldiers' pay and food. He even included a part of a song that soldiers used to sing.
This recording is very important because it is believed to be the only one made by a British soldier who was actively serving during the First World War. Parts of his recording were used in a documentary about the war in 2003.
