Military History

Edward was originally listed as missing presumed killed which was later changed to killed in action on 9 Mar 1917. The battalion war diary entries for the 8th & 9th March 1917 are transcribed below.

8th March 1917 - Ctesiphon: Battalion marched at 7.30am. The 28th Brigade formed the Advanced Guard to the Division, the Battalion being part of the main guard and marched through Ctesiphon to Bawi arriving there at 10am. During the day an order was received that the 28th Brigade would cross the River {River Tigris] to the right of Bawi at dark and make a night march [North West] towards Baghdad in support of the Cavalry who had gone over the day before pushing into Baghdad if possible.

Marched at 8pm the Battalion supplying advanced guard with A&B Coys. The 9th Brigade R.F.A and ambulances accompanied. Weather find, cold during night. 23 NCO's and men joined the Battalion

9th March 1917 Shawa Ruins: Continued marching until daylight (about 6am) when the Brigade halted and 1000 x [yards] from Shawa Ruins and came in touch with the Cavalry.

The Brigade took up Headquarters in Shawa Ruins and about 7am the enemy commenced to shell the ruins and the Cavalry Division who were concentrating in the vicinity. The Battalion was ordered to send forward one Company with a Company in support to locate the enemy position, his flank and if possible the approximate strength. C Coy went forward with D Coy in support, A & B Coys remaining in reserve in Artillery Formation.

During the day enemy shelled occasionally but our guns, when they got into action, kept the enemy Artillery well in hand. Enemy rifle and machine gun fire was heavy.

During the day we pushed slowly forward A & B Coy later taking part. We had no connection on our right or left flanks. The 51^st Sikhs and 56^th Rifles had gone round some way on the left to turn the enemy right flank but we did not get in touch with them during the day. In the afternoon the 53^rd Sikhs came up to support our right and at night continued our right towards the 35^th Brigade with whom they made connection.

At dusk we straightened our forward line and consolidated the connection on left. On right 53^rd Sikhs in touch with 35^th Brigade. The whole battalion was in the front line from left A C D B Coys. In support one Coy of 125^th Punjabi’s. One Section from Machine Gun Coy was sent up about midnight. Turkish sniping continued until about 2am.

Casualties during the day: 2/Lts Hilton and Palfrey were wounded. NCO’s and men 14 killed, 86 wounded.