The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. H H Edwards

Harold Harding Edwards was born on 31st October 1915 in London Road, Alderley Edge, Cheshire. His father (a railway bookstall manager at the time of his son's birth) and paternal grandfather had been born in Wales and HH Edwards was baptised on 15th December 1915 in Carnarvonshire.

His father, Thomas Harding Edwards, served during the Great War in the Army Ordnance Corps/RAOC. He was discharged as a Lance Corporal in 1919 because of disability, with his place of residence recorded as Alderley Edge.

HH Edwards joined the RAFVR about March 1939 as an Airman u/t Observer. Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training and joined 248 Squadron (Blenheims) in May 1940. He was posted to No. 1 (C) OTU, Silloth on 31st May and rejoined 248 from there on 25th June.

Edwards flew as observer with F/Lt. REG Morewood, the 'B' Flight Commander. In April 1941 he was detached and sent to join 404 (RCAF) Squadron, then being formed at Thorney Island.

Commissioned in May 1942, Edwards was posted to an ASR Squadron after which he went to Blackpool to instruct on navigation for air-sea rescue.

He requested pilot training, was accepted and at the end of the war he was in the Bahamas operating Flying Fortresses.

Edwards was released in 1945 as a Flight Lieutenant.

On 7th June 1946 he sailed from Southampton on the MV Carnarvon Castle (Union-Castle Line), bound for Cape Town, South Africa. His occupation was recorded as 'salesman'. He settled in South Africa and died on 11th September 1999.

He was buried at Stellawood Cemetery and Crematorium, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.