The Airmen's Stories - F/O R L Edwards

Robert Leslie Edwards was born on 10th June 1912 at Roseneath, Ontario, Canada. His parents were the Rev. Robert Love Edwards (1845-1920) and Prudence Elizabeth Edwards (nee Ketcheson 1875-1962).

He was educated at Albert College, Belleville and Victoria University, Toronto.

His family later settled in Cobourg, Ontario. After university he was employed as a training executive with the T(imothy) Eaton department store chain.

He married Ruth Beaton Brownlee on 7th November 1939 (below).

He enlisted in the RCAF on 17th January 1940 in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. He had been an RCAF Pilot Officer, serving at No.1 (F) Squadron in Dartmouth since November 1938.

Edwards arrived in the UK with No 1 (RCAF) Squadron on 20th June 1940 (below).

L to R: F/O GG Hyde, P/O BE Christmas, F/Lt. VB Corbett, F/O EW Beardmore, F/O RL Edwards, F/Lt. EM Reyno.

He was hit by return fire from a Do17 attacking Debden on 26th August 1940 and was killed when his Hurricane P3874 came down at The Hydes, Little Bardfield, Essex.

Edwards is buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery.