William Lionel Edwards (1919-1944)

Second World War Roll of Honour

William Lionel Edwards was born at Taff’s Well near Cardiff on 20 February 1919, the son of Ernest Idris Edwards, a draper, and Ethel Ann (née Guard) Edwards of Bradford House, Taff’s Well, later of 17 Cleeve Park Road, Downend, near Bristol. He was educated at Royal Masonic Junior and Senior School, Bushey Park, before matriculating at Downing College in 1937. He was a member of the Debating Society and Boat Club, rowing at 6 in the 3rd May Boat in 1939 and in the 2nd Boat each term in his final year.

After leaving Cambridge, he attended the 162nd (HAC) Officer Cadet Training Unit at Lanark before being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Gloucestershire Regiment on 22 March 1941. He was later promoted to Lieutenant and was serving in Italy when he was killed in action on 1 July 1944, aged 25.

He is buried at Assisi War Cemetery and also commemorated on the memorial at Taff’s Well.

Image

1939 3rd May Boat (DCPH/2/3/2/42), including William Edwards (although sadly we don’t know which he is) and also Robert Barlow (front, d.1943). (Reproduced by kind permission of Gillman & Soame photographers and can be ordered online at enquiries@hillsandsaunders.co.uk.)

1939 3rd May Boat (DCPH/2/3/2/42), including William Edwards (although sadly we don’t know which he is) and also Robert Barlow (front, d.1943). (Reproduced by kind permission of Gillman & Soame photographers and can be ordered online at enquiries@hillsandsaunders.co.uk.)