The Roll of Honour
Mr and Mrs Edwards of the Causeway have received the intelligence that
their son, Orlando, who in the early part of 1915 joined the Wiltshire
Regiment, has been killed in France. The officer commanding his company in
writing to Mr and Mrs Edwards and expressing the sympathy of himself and
comrades, says of Pte Edwards "He was very smart courageous and
painstaking and popular with everybody". Prior to joining up Pte
Edwards was employed in connection with the Post Office and was auxiliary
postman to Tytherton.
Wilts Times 30 June 1917
Killed in action in France, Pte Orlando Edwards, son of Mr and Mrs
Edwards of 31 The Causeway, Chippenham. Aged 31.
Wilts Times 7 July 1917
The Price of Freedom
Above we give the portrait of Pte Orlando Edwards, son of Mr and Mrs
Edwards of 31 The Causeway whose name is added to the list of those who
have `heroes all` who have laid down their lives for King and Country.
Pte Edwards joined the Army on 25th Jan 1915. Prior to that he was
employed at the Chippenham Post Office where he commenced duty in May
1912, acting as a temporary Postman. Subsequently being given the
Auxiliary Postmanship to Tytherton, which he held at the time of his
enlistment.
The Chippenham postmaster in expressing his sympathy with the parents
observes "Orlando was a general favourite, always willing and ready
to do whatever was required of him and his loss is mourned by the whole
staff. He was a quiet well conducted lad, generally popular and respected
by the whole staff, a respect which was greatly enhanced by his prompt
response to his country’s call".
In regard to his death in France, Signaller MacDonald, RDF, writing to
his parents states: "In the last advance I found the body of your
son, Orlando, with his pay book and letter lying beside him. On seeing
this I thought it best to write to you and let you know he died a hero’s
death and accept my deepest sympathy. I may also add that he had an
instantaneous death. I saw that his body was removed and he had a soldier’s
funeral, being buried with hundreds of the bravest of the brave."
Lt Wing of the Wilts wrote: "He was as you doubtless know one of
the special battalion bombers so did not often parade with us but we were
always glad when he did so for he was very smart, courageous and
painstaking and popular. I hope it maybe some consolation in your
bereavement to reflect that he died the death of an honourable and gallant
man for his King and Country."
Wilts Times 7 July 1917
At 0310 some mines were exploded and an intense barrage started,
followed by the leading battalions of the 7th Brigade. At 0340 the Wilts
advanced, after crossing the Steenbecque they passed through the leading
troops. At 0450, they charged their first objective "October Trench" and
overcame some resistance from concrete dugouts. They then suffered some
casualties. Their second and final objective, "Four Huns House" was taken
together with some prisoners. However some uncleared ground remained
between the Wilts and the Division on their left. This mean that the Wilts
came under machine gun fire from "Lumms Farm". The Wilts assaulted and
captured the garrison of some 40 Germans. Their flank was still exposed
and they went onto tackle the "Wilts Farm" and more prisoners. The area
was then consolidated over the next 2 days before they were relieved by
the Australians on the 9th June.