Ken Jeffries

94205 PTE EDWIN GEORGE JEFFRIES. This photo was sent to me by the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum after a request for information. Date of photograph is unknown.

This was taken from a book called "Deeds that Thrill the Empire."

John Edward William Samuels repairing Field Telephone Wires under heavy Shellfire at the Battle of Festubert on May 15th 1915. He was awarded the D.C.M for his devotion to duty along with one of two other brave men who had volunteered to carry out this dangerous work. He later recieved the D.S.O for again repairing the wires along with an officer who received the Victoria Cross.

John Edward William Samuelswas the husband of my first cousin once removed, her name Florence Beatrice Samuels nee Powell 1890-1930.
Her husband John was killed at the Battle of the Somme, Flanders, France.

The Battle of the Somme also known as the Somme Offensive, was a battle of the First World War fought by the armies of the British and French empires against the German Empire. It took place between 1 July and 18 November 1916.

John was a bombadier in the Royal Field Artillery. He recieved the Military Medal and Distinguished Conduct Medal. His body was never found. Florence later married his brother George Sidney Samuels in 1922. She had one child with John, Florence and 4 with George.

Edwin George Jeffries
Birth Place: Tirphil, Glam.
Residence: Tirphil
Death Date: 19 Nov 1918
Death Place: France and Flanders
Enlistment Place: Newport, Mon.
Rank: Private
Regiment: The Royal Welsh (Welch) Fusiliers
Battalion: 16th Battalion
Regimental Number: 94205
Type of Casualty: Died of wounds
Theatre of War: Western European Theatre
Formerly 60594, Monmouthshire Regiment.

The photo was take before the Commonwealth War Graves Commision had stone headstones created. The photo shows the graves shortly after the end of WWI.

Edwin is buried at :-
Caudry British Cemetery
Caudry
Departement du Nord
Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France
Plot: II. A. 20.

Edwin was born 10 May 1893, his parents were John Jeffries and Mary Ann Jeffries nee Griffiths. He was one of 8 children so far traced. He was born in School Street, Tirphil, Glamorgan, Wales.

Edwin George Jeffries was my uncle, my father's eldest brother. Edwin's civilian occupation was a collier timberman.

Edwin died in No. 19 Casualty Clearing Station from wounds received. Gun shot wound to the back (sniper?) - as per Army Records and telegram to parents.

Caudry Military Cemetary, Caudry
Departement du Nord, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France
Plot: II. A. 20.

This cemetary was next to the casualty clearing station and that is where all dead soldiers were buried.

His army description was - Height - 5' 2-1/4 ins, weight 119 pounds, hair - dark brown, complextion - dark, eyes -- brown, chest measurement - 33 ins, expanded 35 ins.

The family had a photograph of him but this has since been lost during various house moves.