C.S.M. Major Alfred Edward Edwards MC MM
2031 (200481) 2/4th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
Born in Burnley

Awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette of 14 August 1917. Awarded the Military Cross in the London Gazette of 18 January 1918.

The citation was published in the London Gazette of 25 April 1918 and reads, "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Although wounded on the previous afternoon he accompanied his company in an attack. He captured a "pill box", killed the occupants, and consolidated and held an advanced shell hole position until he was again wounded”.

Edwards was born in Burnley, Lancashire on the 6 April 1896 but was living in Chorley, Lancashire at the outbreak of war.

After the war Edwards began a career in the Police Force and was appointed a Constable in the Manchester City Police in 1920. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1927, Inspector in September 1931, and Detective Inspector a month later. In 1934 Mr. Edwards was appointed Superintendent and Deputy Chief Constable of Burnley. He was appointed Chief Constable of Burnley on the 1 April 1937 and Chief Constable of Middlesborough on the 9 February 1939. Mr. Edwards became an OBE announced in the London Gazette of 24 June 1946. He was president of the Chief Constables Association of England and Wales 1948 - 49 and a member of the Police Post War Committee. He gave evidence before the Oakley Committee on the Police Conditions of Service. From 1939 Mr. Edwards was Hon. Secretary of the Middlesborough Accident Prevention Council. He was also a member of the Management Committee of No. 2 Police Training Centre. He was also awarded the 1937 Coronation Medal.

(courtesy of Dave Ingham)