Company Sergeant Major Edward Sawyer
7819 2nd East Lancashire Regiment
Killed in Action 27th May 1918, aged 33
Lived at 174 Manchester Road
Commemorated on the Soissons Memorial, France
Burnley Express 24th August 1918

I thought you might be interested for your archive in the attached photograph of my grandfather, Company Serjeant Major Edward Sawyer 2nd Bn East Lancs, a Burnley man who lost his life in the Great War. He is listed on your Roll of Honour as Sawyers by the way and he didn't have an 's' on the end of his surname! His father was John Sawyer of 174 Manchester Road but at the time of his death he was married to my grandmother, Matilda Hamilton Sawyer and their home was at 68 Victor Road, Colchester. They had married in 1914 and had met in Colchester where, as a career soldier, he was stationed at the barracks. They had a daughter, my mother, Iris Constance, who was just three when her father died.

I hope you find this interesting. I live in Hampshire, a long way from Burnley, but feel very proud of my Lancashire connections. Your work certainly helps keep these alive for those interested in their family history. Thank you.

Best wishes
Victoria Ramsay