WILLIAMS, Edward

Edward Williams was married and lived at 23 Bloomfield Street, Halesowen, and attended Halesowen C of E School. He enlisted in the Worcesters but was transferred to the 2nd Battalion of the Berkshires. They were closely involved in all the main battles on the Western Front and at the start of 1918 were expecting the great German Spring Offensive. When it opened on the 21st March, the Berkshires were sent by train to halt the British retreat. They attempted to block the enemy on the river Somme but the task was too great and theywere driven back nearly as far as Amiens. Many were captured or killed and among the latter was Private Edward Williams who was killed on the 2nd April, the last day before the Berkshires were relieved. He was 28 years of age and is commemorated on the Pozičres, Halesowen and Halesowen C of E School Memorials.