Spotted this headstone while having a wander around Widnes Cemetery this morning, the photo caught my eye so posting here in case it's of any interest to anyone... EDGE, HENRY Rank: Serjeant Service No: 4115932 Date of Death: 27/10/1947 Age: 47 Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery Grave Reference: Sec. 2C. Grave 1519. Cemetery: WIDNES CEMETERY Additional Information: Son of James and Elizabeth Edge, of Widnes; husband of Mary E. Edge, of Widnes.
Widnes Weekly News June 5th. 1942 - WIDNES FAMILY RECORD - SIX SONS AND GRANDSON ON SERVICE Mr. and Mrs. James Edge, of 4 Dock Street, Widnes, have reason to be proud of their family record, six sons and a grandson being on service with H.M. Forces, while other members of the family are engaged in essential work for the nation. Altogether it is calculated that they have accumulated some 80 to 90 years' service with the Forces and in the Territorials. There are six sons (five of them married) and four daughters (all married) with some forty grandchildren. Two sons-in-law, Bombardier Bentham, of Dock Street, and Gunner Done, Shaw Street, Runcorn, are with the Services. James Edge, aged 45, the eldest son, of Dock Street, saw active service in the last war in France, being in the Army from 1913 to 1919, with 12 years' service in the Territorials. He is at present in the Home Guard. Sergeant Henry Edge, aged 42, also of Dock Street, was on Service form 1916 to 1921, in France, Germany, Italy, Turkey and Egypt, and was four years on the reserve. Altogether he had 13 years with the Territorials and is now serving in the Royal Artillery. Charles Edge, aged 40, counts ten years' service in the Territorials, served in France in the war and came through Dunkirk. He lives in Caldwell Road. Lance Bombardier William Edge, aged 35, also living in Caldwell Road, has eight years' service in the Territorials to his credit and is now in the Royal Artillery. Driver Tom Edge, aged 30, of 39 Pitt Street, has been in the Royal Artillery for two years. Gunner Ernest Edge, the youngest son, formerly in the King,s Own, is now with the Royal Artillery. He also has two years' service. Driver Henry Edge, aged 20, the grandson (son of Sergeant Henry Edge) has 31/2 years’ service in the Royal Artillery. The family have been educated at the Widnes C. of E. School, Waterloo Road, and the sons have been identified with Rugby League football and cricket. Henry played for Widnes; James played for Hull Kingston Rovers and Wigan Highfield; and Tom has been prominent in Junior football and has had trials with the Widnes senior team.
