LIEUTENANT HAROLD EDMONDS

Lieut. Edmonds was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Edmonds, Norfolk Street, south. He was a young man of much promise.-- a handsome lad of fine physique. 

He was a student in the Forestry Department of Toronto University, and went overseas with a University Corps to qualify for a commission. He took his course at Oxford and was quickly assigned to the Wiltshire Regiment. 
He was wounded April 13th, dying about a week later.

An elder brother, Charles, has been overseas for quite a long time. A younger brother, Douglas, is still at school here. There are two sisters: Mrs. McKnight of Ottawa, whose husband is on active service, and Miss Dorothy, at home. Bishop Williams, of the Anglican Diocese of Huron is a maternal uncle of the dead soldier.
 
 

Norfolk's Growing Honour Roll 

Since our last issue the fateful cables and telegrams have been raining on Norfolk. So far as we have been able to gather the casualties of the week [include]:

"Second Lieut. Harold Edmonds of Simcoe, died of wounds."
 
 

"Waterford -- The many friends in this place of 
Mrs. H. McKnight, formerly Beatrice Edmonds 
of Simcoe, will deeply regret to learn of the death 
of her brother, Lieut. H. Edmonds, who died of 
wounds received in action of April 13th...."
 
 

Expression of Condolence

Moved by Mr. William Sutton, seconded by Mr. I. D. Lawson, and resolved: That the Board of Education 
has learned with great regret of the death from wounds received in battle of Lieut. Harold Edmonds, second 
son of R. Edmonds, Esq., of this board.

Lieut. Edmonds was a young man of great promise. Upon leaving high school he took up the forestry
course at Toronto University, showing great ability 
in this work. 

But the call of King and Country and the righteousness of the cause of the Allies induced him to qualify for a commission in the Imperial Army and he was appointed to the Wiltshire Regiment.

Soon after he was ordered to the battle front and there at Vimy Ridge he received his death wound.

On the high school roll of honor we place his name, proud that this gallant young man was one of our own boys. -- Carried unanimously.
 
 

Bombardier Charles Edmonds, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Edmonds of Simcoe, reported seriously wounded in the arms. About a month ago his brother Harold died of wounds received in action.
 
 

Late Harold Edmonds
Recommended for the
Military Cross

Mr. Richard Edmonds permits us to publish the following letter from Colonel Gillson, commanding officer of the battalion to which his son, Lieut. Harold Edmonds, was attached:

Dear Mr. Edmonds, --  With the greatest regret I have to write to let you know that your gallant son died from his wounds, which he received in the attack on 9 Apr 1917.

You will doubtless have had the news from the war office before you get this, and I can only wish to let you know how sorry we are to lose him and how much he was appreciated.

Although he had not been with my battalion very long, he had become in that short time one of my most popular and trusted officers, and he had won the respect and confidence of his men in a wonderful way. I never knew a keener or more promising officer, and he was equally popular with officers and men.

The battalion had a very severe fight on that day and there were a great number of casualties, most of whom I did not see, but I did see your son on the way to the hospital and was equally surprised and shocked to hear of his death, as I felt sure he would do all right, as he was such a plucky and strong boy.

So many of these things are happening just now that one begins to expect them, but none has hit me harder than your boy's death. He was such a light-hearted, charming fellow and all he would say to me when I saw him was "I got as far as any of them," and indeed he did.

Poor boy, had he lived, he would I hope, have got the Military Cross, for which he was recommended, and none would have earned it better.

I cannot tell you how much I sympathize with you.
Yours sincerely, R. M. Gillson.   

LATE LT. HAROLD EDMONDS

The name of Lieut. Harold Edmonds (photo), son of 
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Edmonds, who died as the result of wounds received during the week of Vimy Ridge actions, has been listed among those Canadians decorated with the Military Cross. 

Lieut. Edmonds belonged to the Wiltshires and earned the decoration by leading his platoon to the enemy barbed wire entanglements, placing his men in shell holes.
 
 

The Military Cross won by Lieut. Harold Edmonds of Simcoe, who died of wounds received at Vimy Ridge, was presented to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. Edmonds, by the Governor-General of Canada in Toronto Wednesday afternoon.
  
 

In Memoriam In memory of Lieutenant Harold Edmonds, m.c. (photo) who died on 20 Apr 1917 from wounds received at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.