Edward Fowkes

 

Private 18763.  03/07/1916 31yrs 10th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment.

 

Probably the most significant name missing from Cradley war memorial is that of Edward Fowkes. Edward was one of three brothers who died during the war and his brothers William and Benjamin are named on the memorial. However, his name is on the printed memorial roll of honour programme.

 

Edward was born in Cradley in 1911 and was an ex-pupil of the Cradley National School. He lived with his parents Richard and Polly and his brothers his sisters at High Town, Cradley and married Caroline Cox in 1908 at St. Peter’s Church.

 

Edward enlisted at Stourbridge in October 1914 with his brother Ben, and was given the regimental number directly preceding Ben’s. He arrived with the battalion in France on July 19th 1915 and was killed in action, aged 31 years, on Monday, July 3rd 1916 in the battle to take La Boisselle.

 

He is named on the National School Roll of Honour and an inscription was placed on Caroline’s grave in St Peter’s churchyard.