b. 26/05/1908 Christchurch, Hampshire. d. 11/06/1950 Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire.
DATE OF AM ACTION: 11/06/1950 Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire.
Little is known about Harry Charles Edwards, born in Christchurch, Hampshire on 26th May 1908, the eldest child of Harry and Alice Edwards (nee Sharp). On 22nd February 1924, he enlisted with the Royal Navy, and his first posting was aboard HMS Ganges. He served until 19th December 1928 when his ship was the HMS Vivid. He soon re-joined the Navy the following year, and served for a further 10 years. He married Florence Forrest in Leicester in 1938. After leaving the Navy, he became a window cleaner. He was on vacation in Lincolnshire at the time of the incident which led to his death.
AM CITATION:
On Sunday, llth June, a girl of 14 who was bathing in the breakers at Mablethorpe was carried but to sea by a receding wave and called for help. Harry Charles Edwards, who was paddling with his small nephew at the water’s edge at the time, and was wearing a bathing costume, saw the girl’s danger and immediately went through the breakers and swam strongly out to her. On reaching her, he told her to take hold of him and then began to swim back towards the shore with her. A large wave, however, struck them and parted them, and after it had passed Edwards was seen to be floating motionless on the water and being carried further out to sea. He was not seen again until his body was recovered from the sea three hours later. At this point on the shore a large outfall tunnel enters the sea, and the rising tide creates a very strong current into the mouth of the tunnel. Swimmers are warned of the danger by a large notice. At the time, the incident took place the tide was coming in , strongly and the sea was at its most dangerous.
Edwards action displayed the highest courage.. He was a strong and experienced swimmer, and must have realised the extreme danger of swimming out beyond the breakers in such a sea. He nevertheless went without hesitation to the girl’s assistance and gave his life in an attempt to rescue her.
BURIAL LOCATION: UNKNOWN.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
