EDMUNDS, Albert V

Albert Edmunds came from Kingswinford and was living in Brierley Hill by 1914. He enlisted in the South Staffordshire Regiment, possibly before 1914 as a regular soldier. He was transferred at some point to the 10th Worcesters and promoted to Lance Corporal. In 1917 they were fighting at Third Ypres and in early 1918 they were near the Hindenburg Line for the first German Spring offensive and given a support role. The ‘grey avalanche’ burst before dawn on the 21st March and the Worcesters took battle stations at Velu Wood. They were ordered to advance to meet the enemy under heavy fire. There were many casualties, although they held up the enemy for a few hours. Among those killed in actions was Lance Corporal Albert Edmunds who is commemorated on the Arras Memorial and on the Brierley Hill and Brierley Hill church Memorials.